It's been quite hard to accurately judge Manchester United this calendar year. Even when they have been winning matches, they have not been doing so convincingly.
There has been a sense of underlying unsustainability about the manner in which they have failed to control matches in recent weeks, yet somehow they have found a way to grind out consistent results.
It is no great surprise, then, that their luck finally ran out yesterday. Against another side, United could easily have been two or three goals down by half-time. That will be a very real threat when they travel to face Manchester City next weekend.
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United's injury issues in defence are a clear contribution to the lack of control, but the real concern is that even with what is considered their strongest midfield, they failed to take a grip of proceedings against a Fulham side without their own best midfielder.
Casemiro continued a worrying trend of unconvincing midfield performances this season, and Bruno Fernandes has quite recently gone under the radar as one of their most underperforming players this calendar year.
They are already overreliant on teenage talent Kobbie Mainoo, and there is a lack of real quality in those in reserve. Scott McTominay had a positive influence on the game from the bench again, though the very fact he started there again was evidence that he is still viewed as a squad option rather than a credible starter.
United's grip on the game didn't tighten even when the experienced Christian Eriksen came onto the pitch; this is perhaps an indication that their struggles are systematic
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