Manchester United turned in a five-star performance to crush Fulham and keep up the pressure on Premier League leaders Manchester City.
The Reds flew at the hosts and were soon ahead when Danny Welbeck converted Nani's cross.
Nani headed home from Ryan Giggss cross before the two reversed roles for the third. Giggs' goal maintains his record of scoring in every Premier League season.
Rooney then thundered in a fourth from 35 yards before substitute Dimitar Berbatov's cheeky finish capped off the win.
Chants
United’s powers of recovery are admirable. They regrouped and ground out results after the derby humiliation and since the Basle shocker they’ve swopped grind for dynamism and have found their shooting boots again against Wolves, QPR and now Fulham.
Only five minutes were on the clock before Welbeck had swept United in front, and at least three of those were taken up by United’s doctor and physio attending the concussed Phil Jones who’d take a whack in the cheekbone from Clint Dempsey.
There was certainly an elbow connection but whether that was innocent leverage is another debate.
If Jones was groggy Fulham were equally unsteady as the champions laid siege to Martin Jol’s side’s goal.
Jones had to quit after 20 minutes but fuzzy Fulham had to endure more punishment as United came at them in uninterrupted waves.
Nani, whose driving run had set up Welbeck’s breakthrough, was then smartly placed in the 28th minute to glance in a rare header from Giggs’ inswinging cross from the right.
When a relatively diminutive forward like the Portuguese winger can win headers in an area supposedly policed by giants like Fulham’s Brede Hangeland and Philippe Senderos the home crowd knew they were in trouble.
Nani then went on to tease then hapless Londoners rearguard before slipping an easy ball for a free Giggs to see his shot deflect wickedly off Senderos and over ‘keeper David Stockdale.
Fulham clearly had a flea in their ear at half time and came out at the interval attempting to at least add a bit of credibility to the scoreline even in pulling off a shock was mission impossible.
But when the Londoner’s briefly gave a spirited response the Reds simply put on their resilient hat and put bodies in the way of everything to quell the attempt at a revival.
It was a study in mental determination as they frustrated Fulham by stepping in at crucial moments to either block or whip the ball away.
Then just when Fulham may have felt they’d survived the second half with a 0-0 draw Rooney exploded with a 35-yard rocket that fizzed and swerved past the keeper.
If that was all about raw power then Berbatov’s first Premier League goal of the season was pure finesse.
The Bulgarian was last season’s top flight number one executioner but hasn’t enjoyed the joy of a league goal since last April.
But his flamboyant close range back heel capped off a clinical night for the Reds.
Like the X-Factor final winners, United won’t be the Christmas number one, but they needn’t worry because like most of the runners up in TV’s talent shows it is generally they who are the most successful.
What is your verdict on the action? Have your say.
Fulham 0 Manchester United 5 - Stuart Mathieson's verdict
December 21, 2011
Comments
Login or Register to comment
Do i hear the berties shivering in fear? The shadow is coming back! It will be sealed on January :-), in front of the half empty seats.
hope young and jones are ok...the reds are flying
Nani assisted for 1st and 3rd goal, scored 2nd and made excellent pass for Valencia for 5th goal. I think it is clear who was MOTM!
Beautiful!
Great display by the lads today, took their foot of the gas in the second half but still managed two corkers in the half. Lindergard was brilliant too; United's new no1?
On a down note why more injuries? Just can't believe it.
Come on Reds!
Fantastic first half performance ran them ragged, great finish from Welbeck and a great header from Nani and Giggs got a slice of luck with the deflection.
The Rooney strike... My word... Took my breath away the technique, the accuracy and the power, I think he had a quiet game but then he pops up and does that, special player and contender for goal of the season.
Berbatov is not appreciated enough on this website, his technique is wonderful, his touch and ability to hold the ball is amazing the short spell of Fulham pressure ended when Berbs came on, great technique for his goal the man has a touch of genius that none of our other strikers have.
Dempsey did not impress me with the Elbow on Jones the pundits widely agreed that he knew full well what he was doing with that flailing arm but luckily Jones looks fine and still managed a wonderful tackle to cut off Fulham's best chance of the first half, hope Young is ok after his knock he walked off so didn't seem too bad he is struggling to regain his early season form after picking up the toe injury but he will be back and performind before we know it once our other wide men run out of steam its a squad game.
Think we're regaining our form its the usual time we start moving into top gear and we can keep the pressure on the other lot and there bound to stumble somewhere this league race is far from over.
L.U.H.C, 19-2, 3-0, 11-5.
Injuries, and more injuries, player taking a break from football, out of CL, lost 6-1 at home to Arab United.
Back against the wall, United play their best football.
Great game. No weak links. Nani, soon back to his best again.
Great week of football, boys. I love that we are scoring goals again, but I love even more that we are not giving up chance after chance from the other team. Defensively, we have been nothing short of fabulous, and who would have thought that the moment Vidic went down?
Merry Christmas to all my red friends, and yes, even the blue side, too. May you all find this season peaceful!
Imagine if this squad was completely free of injury! Hoping Jones recovers from that blow to the head. Well played lads
Magnificent performance. What a strike from Rooney! What a player Giggs (still) is! How cool is Berbatov? I so hope he gets more playing time. Everyone was in great form - including Evra today. I hope Jones is OK - how that wasn't a straight red is beyond me. Shame about Young too, as he looked to be getting his form back. The injury list continues to grow, and we still manage to put in a performance like that! It's looking like a two-horse race now. May the best team win! (I'm 100% certain we will...)
Lets hope the injured will be ok !!
yes well done the lads
Fulham 2-2 ciddy
Fulham 0-5 MANCHESTER,
i know we drew with stoke city but we were away!
........... spot the difference
What a great Christmas present. It was a thrilling performance all around, except for the two injuries, hope they are not serious enough to cause games absences. Though, some of you may not care, but I can sit back and relax on Sunday and enjoy NBA basketball again. Hoping the Bulls can replicate Utd, victory wise. To all Utd fans on here, have a Merry Christmas and Happy and Prosperous New Year.
Only downside to this game was another 2 injured players Jones apparently has a broken cheekbone and is out 6 weeks not sure WTf is going on with all theses injuries surely like it or not SAF must buy in January.
Brilliant! Only dark shadow is the mounting injury list
GREAD BERBA!!!!!!!!!!!!!
First half we were Simply awesome! Giggs a 10/10. Its been said time and time again, but I never tier of reading, writing or hearing it, but Giggsy really is an exemplary model for all current and future Utd players!
Overall though, I thought Tony V put in another superb shift on the right side - attack and defense!
Goals galore. Lets have some more of them in our next 2 home matches!
Giggs , Carrick , Nani , Valencia , Smalling , Welbeck , Evra , Berbatov and Lindegaard were brilliant . Evans , Young and Park ok . Jones played great for the few minutes he was on the bitch . I liked the way Valencia settled down as a right back and the coolness of Berbatov . No bad performances though . Just satisfactory ones by Evans , Park and Young .
Some superb performances today and team seems to be getting their passing game back. Lindegaard looks very assured as does Smalling at centre half.
One (or two) downer on the night.....more injuries! Unfortunately we keep picking these up, some through bad tackles that keep going unpunished, and is disrupting the team but we are putting the results up and the berties will soon slip up, mark my word.
Good game. More injuries. Jones scares me if he is seriously hurt. Valencia seems back to normal and some good play from Evans again. Wellback is going to become a battleship.
enjoy,
r7
The first half was truely vintage United. Dominant and classy with the real champions swagger. I guess SAF told the boys to take it easy in the second. All in all, fantastic performance. Keep it up boys. No 20 here we come.
My beloved Reds, I am so proud of you. Fulham on their own territory, are not the easiest of teams to beat; just ask any Mercenary fan about that!
An excellent first half performance, with United in full swing, showed the rest of the Premier League that we are at last getting into our stride. We appeared to take our foot off the pedal in the second half, but I believe that Fulham should take some credit for not giving up and having a right go at us. This resurgent second half display by the home team gave our defence the opportunity to show how well we can defend. The odd time that their attackers did manage a goal-bound shot, Anders Lindegaard proved how blessed we are in having two first class keepers.
We are still not actually firing on all cylinders but my word, we are not too far away. I can’t fault our defence, and the midfield with Carrick, yet again running the show, were impressive to say the least. Welbeck and Rooney played well, but the latter player knows he can do better. Nevertheless, he worked tirelessly and his endeavours were suitably rewarded with a well-taken goal. Nani seemed to disappear at times, but who can argue with his overhaul contribution - two great assists and an excellent goal; am I perhaps becoming too critical? Also good to see Berba’s cameo role result in a clever fifth goal to complete a very strong finish from our lads!
On the negative side, there is the worrying concern about the injuries that we continue to pick up. These latest setbacks are to two more key players. Surely this tide of bad luck will soon turn? I am confident enough to believe that whatever obstacles are placed in front of us we WILL overcome - on our way to a tremendous twentieth!
United ‘til I die!
Excellent performance by everyone. Away from home, clean sheet, five goals, 65% possession, all tells the story of a fine performance. Fulham had some chances but the defending and the blocking were really up to standard. Anyone know the state of Jones and Young?
Merry Christmas to all Reds near and far.
Hi berties
Still in our shadows i see Manchester United 5.0 Fulham at the cottage. Mark my words Fulham and QPR will finish in the top 4 next season with your blues fighting relegation. You might laugh but you watch.
See you had the Dean tonight, more like mr Bean never allowed Stoke a shot at goal or a goal attempt how biased is that. Pullis had his tactics spot on and stoke dominated ciddy for most of the game just unlucky they were denied a penalty and that Aguero was not penalised for loitering in the box and offside. Joe Hart a long way to go to match De Gea and Foster in fact he is living in Fosters shadow.
Your Kolo was invisible and kerwyn gave him the runaround. The stats did not tell it all Stoke were superior and you's know it.
Anyway looks like 20 for my team with superior all round quality. Rooney is untouchable in this form and Berba's goal was sheer indulgence.
Well berties we know yer quququiverrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrring and shakiiiiiiiiiiing in yer boots SAF has you in his sites so be afraid berties.
Berties refer to us as Manchester United not Manu we don't like it and it is disrespectful and don't take offence at beinbg called ciddy know your place!
That makes us Joint top for christmas I think!
In jury hit squad wins away 5-0 awsome skill and power,city slip were back on course,20th title.
game on.utid.;)
were flying sky high, UNIIIIIIIIIIIIITED! Its great to be an united fan! THERE`S ONLY ONE MANCHESTER, ONE MANCHSTER UNITTTTTTTTTTTED!
Watch out bitters we`re comming!