Following a 1-1 draw against Fulham, Manchester United manager Michael Carrick publicly rejected concerns regarding his team's physical condition. The match, which saw United secure a late equalizer, was marked by a period of poor performance following the halftime break, culminating in an own goal by Lisandro Martínez in the 63rd minute.

Statistical data from the match indicated that Fulham outran the Manchester United squad by a collective distance of 6.6 kilometers. This discrepancy in physical output drew criticism from United’s Matheus Cunha, who scored the team's goal in the 89th minute. Cunha expressed frustration with the team's lack of intensity after the restart, stating that the players' performance level was unacceptable given the energy Fulham displayed on the pitch.

Despite the statistical evidence and the public critique from his own player, Carrick maintained that fitness was not the primary issue. The disagreement highlights a tension between the manager’s assessment of the squad's physical state and the observations made by players and match statistics regarding the team's work rate during the second half of the game.