Manchester United 3 Fulham 2

United got those vital first three points on the board but were pushed all the way by a Fulham side keen to pull off a shock.

Before kick-off Sir Alex Ferguson had produced something of a shock by dropping Wayne Rooney. Others ot feel the wrath of the boss for the poor performance at Goodison Park were Danny Welbeck and Nani.

In the defence, Jonny Evans made the bench so Carrick and Vidic were to form the central defensive partnership for the second consecutive game.

The second shock of the day came three minutes into the game when a sloppy United defence allowed Fulham to take the lead. Petric was fouled and when Ruiz took the free kick Duff left Young on his backside to guide a shot home.

United responded well, eight minutes later Anderson found Evra and his cross was met by Van Persie and a terrific strike was nestling in the back of the net. The goal signalled an intense spell of United pressure and two goals in six minutes saw United take a firm grip on the game.

Cleverley instigated the first forcing Schwarzer to parry a shot and Kagawa tapped it home from close range. Two minutes before the break Valencia`s cross was hit back in by Young and Rafael was on hand to make it 3-1.

The second half should have been a stroll but Fulham were like a dog with a bone, refusing to give it up and when, just past the hour mark De Gea and Vidic contrived to get in each others way and Vidic flicked the ball home, it really was game on.

De Gea had to react smartly to deny the impressive Dembele and Petric as United eventually hung on to all three points.

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