Lisandro Martinez embodies what Ruben Amorim wants as Man United show signs of life as Marcus Rashford fades

If life truly begins at 40, it started a day early for Ruben Amorim.

As he celebrates a landmark birthday on Monday, Manchester United’s head coach will take heart from his defence’s resilience, gaining a first clean sheet in 14 games, and a spirited second-half performance capped with a deflected winner from Lisandro Martinez. 

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The tough Argentine embodies the type of commitment Amorim wants. Martinez is a scrapper and this was certainly a scrappy goal. Amorim will not care – he needed a win, however it came. 

Amorim’s name was chanted long and loud in the first half by the 2,700 travelling fans in the Putney End, and with extra gusto at the final whistle. This was a game that will not linger long in the memory but never mind the quality, feel the quantity of points. 

Everything at United is scrutinised so closely, and Amorim’s determination to persist with his 3-4-2-1 system is a subject of intense debate, so this dogged victory matters hugely.

Amorim needs to ensure results are acceptable, and respectable, while he either drills his tactics into his players or has the time to bring in those who suit his tactical template. He doesn’t have the quality of wing-back he desires. Hence, United chasing the left-sided Patrick Dorgu, the 20-year-old Dane at Lecce.

If United had lost, and Fulham threatened damage in the first half, Amorim’s ambitions would have been complicated. The clamour would have grown to deploy 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-3 style that better fits the squad he inherited. Amorim’s not like that. He’s not for changing. United recruited a talented coach with a set philosophy and strength of his convictions and clearly have to stick with him. Amorim’s overhaul will take time and money. 

So this victory silences some of the doubters and indicates that United are going in the right direction. Events at Craven Cottage confirm United still don’t have a centre-forward to suit 3-4-2-1. Rasmus Hojlund strived hard, but spent most of his game with his back to goal, failing to win his wrestling match with Joachim Andersen. Joshua Zirkzee replaced Hojlund just before the hour, dropped off to try to escape Andersen, but also struggled. Neither held the ball up nor offered a goal threat. 

In the space behind them, Amad Diallo and Alejandro Garnacho were nominally the two No 10s, but Garnacho simply went wide, playing the winger he is. With Amad facing Fulham’s stronger flank of Antonee Robinson and Alex Iwobi, United got more joy down Garnacho’s side and the Argentinian did worry Fulham with his pace to get behind them.

Garnacho’s appetite for the fray highlighted even more why United’s plan to sell him makes little sense. United need to keep players like Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo, especially if the PSR pressures are not as extreme as feared. 

Marcus Rashford’s future is another situation entirely. The club clearly do not feel he features in Amorim’s plans and they can free up some funds for recruits with Rashford’s departure, on loan initially. It’s been clear since Amorim’s arrival that Rashford is not part of the future, and the stumbling block to his departure is which European club will take on even a chunk of the striker’s considerable wages. 

All of those concerns, such as transfers in and out, are eased by a good result. Amorim’s credibility is enhanced, his tactics and rebuilding strategy more justified. Amorim showed when given a clear week to prepare to face Liverpool and Arsenal what he can achieve (a draw and win respectively). 

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He still has so much work to do. The defence lacked pace until Leny Yoro came on. The midfield was over-reliant on Bruno Fernandes for creativity.

Whether Fernandes has the tactical discipline and athleticism to play deep midfield, alongside Manuel Ugarte, is debatable. He fits one of Amorim’s No 10 roles better. At least Fernandes playing deep allowed him to take the ball off the defence and distribute it better.

Amorim also has to address the reality that United lacked some of the athleticism and strength of Fulham. Adama Traore knocked Noussair Mazrouai out of the way at one point.

United’s athleticism and agility improved when Toby Collyer came on and managed a fine clearance from Andersen’s header off the line. A draw would not have flattered Fulham, far from it. 

Marco Silva’s side were far the more cohesive, assertive unit in the first half. Fernandes couldn’t keep up with the breaking Sasa Lukic at one point. Amad couldn’t escape Robinson. The only real sign – or sound – of United expressing themselves were their fans rattling through a 10-minute ‘Amorim’s red and white army’. 

United were constantly on the back foot, especially down their right. Alex Iwobi cut in and had a shot held by Andre Onana. But for Robinson overhitting a couple of crosses, Fulham would have troubled Onana more. Sander Berge controlled midfield like an experienced patrol-man. 

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But Amorim’s ability to respond during games was again seen. When Traore came on for a hobbling Harry Wilson, Amorim switched Mazrouai with Diogo Dalot to try to cope with the newcomer’s pace.

With 12 minutes remaining, Fernandes played Garnacho in behind, and his cutback bounced slightly fortuitously towards the onrushing Martinez. He’d pushed up, hoping to support the attack, and when the ball fell his way, Martinez struck it venomously. It caught Lukic and sailed up and over Bernd Leno. Fulham’s keeper got a hand to it but it was too powerfully struck. United ground out victory, giving Amorim an early birthday gift.