Manchester United's work-rate has come under intense scrutiny following their 1-1 Premier League draw at Fulham on Sunday, with running data revealing they rank joint-bottom in the top flight for high-speed runs this season.

The numbers don't flatter United

According to Opta, Manchester United are level with Manchester City on just 1,691 high-speed runs — the lowest figure in the Premier League. Crucially, Manchester City spent the majority of the Manchester derby with ten men after Phil Foden was sent off in the 23rd minute, making that comparison even more damaging for United.

At Craven Cottage, Manchester United spent 52.98 percent of their time out of possession walking — the highest percentage they have recorded this season. Their campaign average of 51.13 percent walking out of possession ranks them 17th in the league. Seven sides have posted a higher figure across the division this term, yet the Fulham showing stands as United's worst display of the season.

United covered 110.2km on Sunday, the second-lowest distance of the Premier League weekend — only Liverpool's 108.4km at Bournemouth was lower. They were out-run by Fulham by 6.5km, the second-largest distance gap between two full-strength sides this season. Arsenal's 6.8km advantage over Coventry on the opening night remains the biggest. Manchester City — reduced to ten men early — are the only Premier League opponent United have out-run in distance this campaign. Elsewhere, Hull, Ipswich, and Everton have all covered more ground than United.

Sitting deep and letting Fulham build

Manchester United's defensive shape also drew attention. Fulham were allowed to begin their passing sequences an average of 36.9 metres from the United goal — the closest any side permitted their opponents to start, on average, across the entire weekend's fixtures. United, by contrast, began their own attacks an average of 43.4 metres from the Fulham goal, the third-highest figure of the round.

Fulham generated more build-up attacks — defined as passing sequences of ten or more that end with a shot or a touch inside the opposition box — than any other side this weekend, a direct consequence of the space United conceded.

Stinging words from inside the squad