FA Cup: Fulham Stuns Manchester United At Old Trafford
Fulham goalkeeper Bernd Leno saved two penalties as the London side beat FA Cup holders Manchester United 4-3 on penalties to secure its spot in the quarter-finals, after Sunday’s dramatic fifth-round tie at Old Trafford ended 1-1 after extra time.
Moments before halftime, Fulham caught United off guard from Andreas Pereira’s corner to open the scoring, with Rodrigo Muniz nodding on for Super Eagles of Nigeria defender Calvin Bassey to head home in his first FA Cup appearance.
In the second half, both sides created chances in search of goals. However, Manchester United fought its way back to level the scores.
Midfielder Bruno Fernandes equalised in the 71st minute when Diogo Dalot cut it back from the left-hand side and United’s captain unleashed a left-footed shot past goalkeeper Leno and into the net.
Both sides squandered chances at winning goals in the breathless affair at Old Trafford. United keeper Andre Onana dived to push away a shot from Emile Smith Rowe late in normal time.
United then had several terrific chances to seal the victory seconds before the whistle sounded. Leno came out to save a point-blank shot from Alejandro Garnacho and then 17-year-old Chido Obi first stabbed the ball just wide of the net and then forced Leno to make a diving save as the match went to extra time.
After a goalless extra time, Leno saved Victor Lindelof’s penalty, leaving United’s Joshua Zirkzee needing to bury his to keep their hopes alive. Yet he fired his effort straight at Leno sparking wild Fulham celebrations.
The holders are out
Bernd Leno is the shootout hero for @FulhamFC!#EmiratesFACup pic.twitter.com/1mICZ5tphe
— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) March 2, 2025
Raul Jimenez, Sander Berge, Willian and Antonee Robinson converted their penalties for Fulham, who will face Crystal Palace in the quarter-finals.
Fulham reached their only FA Cup final in 1975 when they were beaten 2-0 by West Ham United. Leno said he would like to see his team get back to Wembley for the final.
“Unbelievable,” a smiling Leno said in an interview. “I think we deserved to win after 90 minutes. Of course, penalties, it is sometimes a lottery and luckily we won.”
“The goalie coach told me information, but my feeling is more important. I went the wrong way three times, but credit to our penalty takers – it is not easy. Brilliant job from all of us.”
Thirteen-time FA Cup winners United defeated Manchester City last year and lost to City in the 2023 final. But Ruben Amorim’s men have struggled mightily this season, languishing 14th in the Premier League, five places below Fulham.
“I think we have the best chances in the game,” Amorim said. “In the end, the penalties can go both ways and today wasn’t our way.
“The goal is to win the Premier League,” he added. “I know that we are losing games but the goal is to win the Premier League again. I don’t know how long it will take. We have a goal and we continue forward no matter what.”
At the expense of the holders, @ManUtd, it was @FulhamFC who progressed after a penalty-shootout as Bernd Leno booked their spot in the quarter-finals ⚪️#EmiratesFACup pic.twitter.com/uS4ac2i3EQ
— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) March 2, 2025
Sunday’s FA Cup results
Newcastle 1-2 Brighton
Manchester United 1-1 Fulham (3-4 on penalties).
The #EmiratesFACup quarter-final draw is complete
— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) March 2, 2025
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