Man Utd: Michael Carrick defends players after Gary Neville comments

Gary Neville took a deep breath after Lisandro Martinez's own goal put Fulham ahead just over an hour into what had been a laboured Manchester United performance, and delivered his verdict.

"I've watched Manchester United since the age of five and that's the worst 15 minutes I've ever seen," he said. "Absolutely pathetic.

For context, Neville was part of the United side beaten 3-1 by Sunday's opponents Fulham at Old Trafford in October 2003. In recent memory they have also lost 7-0 at Liverpool and 6-1 at home twice, to Tottenham and Manchester City.

It seemed an extreme reaction. But in a week when United lost the Manchester derby to a City side reduced to 10 men midway through the first half, then against Brighton for the first time in more than 50 years were beaten at home after giving away a two-goal lead, frustration among the fanbase is high.

While Cunha did not exactly agree with Neville in his post-match interview with Sky Sports, his comments will have fuelled more debate around the issue.

Unsurprisingly, Carrick had a different take. He used the way his side tried to pressure the home team in the latter stages, leading to Cunha's equaliser, as evidence his squad is fit enough.

Cunha also mentioned the "noise" around United when he spoke to BBC Match of the Day.

"There's always going to be certain reactions when you're making changes," said Carrick. "I've spoken to Kobbie after the game and he's absolutely fine.

"But I don't take any negatives or offence to it. I think we've just got to try and keep doing the right things to get back into the game.

Five points from five games leaves United 12th, an incredible 10 points behind pacesetters Manchester City already.

Striker Benjamin Sesko also missed the game after suffering a recurrence of the shin problem against Brighton that he was troubled by for an extended period last season before submitting to a recovery programme that ruled him out for more than three months.

This would all be pretty underwhelming were it not for the ticketing issues instigated by the club's touting crackdown that has annoyed so many in the fanbase.