Left deflated and defeated following Manchester United’s late winner at Old Trafford, the last thing the Fulham player wanted to talk about was a potential move away from Craven Cottage.
On his Red Devils debut, Joshua Zirkzee rose from the bench to instinctively convert a fizzing cross from fellow substitute Alejandro Garnacho in the 87th minute.
After stoppage time winners from Bruno Fernandes and Alex Iwobi decided the two Premier League meetings with Fulham and Manchester United in 2023/24 – Garnacho himself struck past the 90 minute mark back on the eve of the Qatar World Cup – this was another clash decided by another dramatic winner in the closing stages.
The excellent Kenny Tete may feel he – and Fulham as a whole – deserved better.
Tete tends to save his best performances for high-profile opposition. And the way he dealt with the threat of Marcus Rashford will have the Fulham fans keen to see the experienced right-back commit his future to Marco Silva’s side.
Kenny Tete linked with Fulham exit and PSV move
There is less than 12 months remaining on his contract.
But when quizzed on a potential move to Eredivisie champions PSV Eindhoven in the aftermath of Friday’s curtain-raiser, Tete was quick to pour cold water on the discussion.
“No, no, no,” Tete tells ViaPlay. “I’m fine here.”
Amsterdam-born Tete started his career at PSV’s fierce rivals Ajax. He then spent three years in France with Lyon before joining Fulham in a deal worth £3 million back in 2020.
The Cottagers did trigger the 12-month extension clause in Tete’s deal at the start of the summer. That, however, serves to only kick the can down the road with doubts still persisting about the 28-year-old’s long-term future in West London.
“I’m excited to announce that we have activated the club’s option to extend Kenny Tete’s contract through next season,” Fulham chief Tony Khan said at the time, the Dutchman now just one appearance short of 100 in Cottagers colours.
“Kenny is a great talent. And, over the past four years, he’s become a key member of our squad, a fan favourite, and an important part of the Fulham family.
“We’re all delighted that he’ll be with us next season.”
Marco Silva’s side beaten by Manchester United
Fulham have signed three players this summer. Ryan Sessegnon returns after his release by Tottenham Hotspur. Emile Smith Rowe joins from Arsenal while Jorge Cuenca arrives via Villarreal.
Smith Rowe was the only one of those to feature against Man United, however, with Cuenca on the bench.
“Tough game, as we expected. It is always tough to play here. And (it was) a good battle,” Marco Silva tells Fulham’s official website after Zirkzee snatched all three points late on. “I think both teams, they played clearly to win the game.
“I think we started really well and we started some good counter attacks. We were able to beat the pressure from Man United from the first minute until, I think, halfway into the first half. I think we did really well.
“We started on the front foot. And, then, there was a very good reaction after from Man United. They pushed us back, and we were not able to play in the way we like and with the composure on the ball that normally we have.
“We should have longer possession to create the moments, but we started to lose the ball too quick. There were counter attacks for Man United, counter attacks for us, and the game can go either way. And then the last minute, they score.
“In one moment, that the game was completely broken.”
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