Fulham star Calvin Bassey offered a damning verdict of Manchester United, claiming Marco Silva’s side ‘wanted it more’ after their first win at Old Trafford in 21 years.
Bassey had fired Fulham into the lead from a corner midway through the second half, only for Harry Maguire to score an 89th-minute equaliser.
Fulham rallied and got the winning goal their performance deserved when Alex Iwobi converted a smart counter-attack in the 97th minute.
Asked if United have become a soft touch, particularly in midfield, after a tenth Premier League defeat, Bassey felt it was down to desire, not quality.
‘I don’t think you can just come here and overrun them. You can see the quality of the players they have,’ he said.
Calvin Bassey scored for Fulham as they beat Manchester United at Old Trafford on Saturday
Bassey said Fulham ‘wanted it more’ than United, who suffered their 10th league loss
It was another chastening afternoon for United, a setback after recent positive results
‘They have got top players and a top manager and players that can have an effect off the bench, but we were just at it more and I felt we wanted it more today. That showed in the way we played.’
Fulham pitched up at Old Trafford with the second worst away form in the league and they had been without a win in M16 since a 3-1 win back in 2003.
But United are unpredictable and depleted by injuries last week to Rasmus Hojlund and Luke Shaw, Fulham sensed an opportunity.
‘Of course we had belief,’ Bassey added.
‘If you saw the last games we played, even the one we played at home [against United] when we lost right at the end, it was just the details and making sure we got the details right. It worked out for us, thank God.’
While Iwobi took the highlights after scoring the winner, Bassey was keen to stress the importance Silva has to this group.
The Fulham boss was increasingly animated in his technical area, bouncing around with delight and fury at decisions and missed opportunities. Try as he might, he looked to kick every ball with his players.
Erik ten Hag’s side slumped to another painful defeat as their disappointing season continued
Alex Iwobi scored a 97th-minute winner to give Fulham a shock 2-1 win away at Old Trafford
‘100 per cent,’ Bassey said, asked if their desire is instilled into them by Silva.
‘Even if we are not good on the ball, the minimum we can do is work as hard as the team we are playing or more. That is our foundation, and I think we have done that well throughout the season.
‘Some results have been unlucky and some results have gone our way.’
