The 1-1 draw between Fulham and Manchester United in the recent Premier League match caused both regret among supporters and major debate following the event that resulted in the Red Devils' first goal.
At the 58th minute, Manchester United unexpectedly took the lead following a corner kick by Bryan Mbeumo. Leny Yoro leapt to head the ball, which then deflected off Rodrigo Muniz and went straight into Fulham's net, counted as an own goal. However, the home team players strongly protested, claiming Yoro pushed Bassey before the aerial challenge.
Bassey commented after the match to Sky Sports: “That was a clear foul. When jumping, even a slight contact can cause loss of balance. I was pushed away from the ball, giving the opponent an advantage. The goal should have been disallowed.”
He even expressed frustration by adding: “When the referee reviewed this situation, I think they were disappointed with their decision. I can't say much more or I'll get penalized. But honestly, I don't understand what they expect me to do? Fall down pretending to be hurt?”
Despite going behind, Fulham did not give up. Coach Marco Silva brought Emile Smith Rowe on, who immediately made an impact by scoring the equalizer with just one touch. The 1-1 scoreline held until the end, earning Fulham a valuable point against a stronger opponent.
Notably, earlier Bassey had also made a mistake by committing a foul inside the penalty area, awarding Manchester United a penalty in the first half. Fortunately for Fulham, Bruno Fernandes missed the chance by shooting over the bar from the spot.
With this draw, Ruben Amorim's Manchester United continues their winless streak since the start of the 2025/26 season. Pressure is mounting on the Portuguese manager as the team urgently needs to regain winning form to appease their supporters.
Man United will face a new challenge in the second round of the Carabao Cup, visiting Grimsby Town midweek. This is seen as a perfect opportunity for Amorim and his squad to rebuild confidence before returning to the fierce Premier League competition.