Manchester United first team coach Darren Fletcher walked towards the tunnel even before Joshua Zirkzee missed the critical penalty against Fulham.
Manchester United and Fulham were in a penalty shootout after their game ended 1-1 at Old Trafford.
Fulham had already scored their first four penalties, so Zirkzee had to score to keep Manchester United in the shootout, especially after Victor Lindelof missed United’s previous penalty.
However, Zirkzee’s weak penalty was saved by Bernd Leno, securing Fulham’s win.
The emotional Zirkzee was comforted by his teammates after the disappointing moment.
According to Samuel Luckhurst of MEN, Fletcher seemed to lack confidence in Manchester United’s chances of winning the shootout.
Luckhurst wrote on X (formerly Twitter): “Darren Fletcher headed for the exit before Joshua Zirkzee took his penalty kick. Everyone knows the score with the team that barely score.”
Zirkzee, who is 23, has only scored three Premier League goals since his £36.5million transfer from Bologna last summer.
Rasmus Hojlund has also scored just twice in the league this season.
Hojlund had been substituted before the shootout, replaced by 17-year-old Chido Obi.
After the game, Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney mentioned he would prefer to have Danny Welbeck over the current forward options at the club.
Speaking as a pundit, Rooney stated: “Danny's great to play with.
“To be honest, I’d probably still want him here, playing for Manchester United.
“He has scored goals throughout his career. He had some injuries early on, but he seems to be past them and is having a great season.”
Rooney also had positive words for young Obi.
He added: “What I’ve really liked about him is that he’s found himself in some very good positions — I’ve been really impressed.
“He looked like he could have been the one to score the winning goal.”
