Cristiano Ronaldo scored both goals in a 2-0 victory over Fulham at Old Trafford to send United back to second spot in the Barclays Premier League table.
The result never looked in doubt, with the Reds turning in a scintillating attacking display that, at times, ranked up there with United's best of the season. It could have been many more but for a string of missed opportunities and sharp goalkeeping from visiting stopper Antti Niemi.
Referee Rob Styles also denied United – and Ronaldo – a chance of a third when he failed to award what looked a certain penalty after the Portuguese star went down under Niemi's challenge inside the penalty area.
Sir Alex made four changes to the side that lost at Bolton in the Reds' last league outing. Most notable was the inclusion of Wayne Rooney for the first time since 7 November.
Rooney, who injured an ankle in training just 24 days prior to Fulham's arrival at Old Trafford, was initially targeting a return in time for United's trip to Anfield on 16 December. But, just as he did when he fractured a metatarsal earlier this season, the England international defied all expectations to take his place ahead of schedule.
Rooney's first two passes were wayward but his third, a deft flick, sent Cristiano Ronaldo racing through the middle of the pitch to kickstart a typically speedy Reds counter-attack.
While Rooney eased his way back into first-team action, Carlos Tevez launched an early assault on the Fulham goal. Indeed, the Argentina international could have had a hat-trick within eight minutes.
His close-range header from Anderson's teasing cross somehow went the wrong side of the post before Niemi denied him moments later with a reflex save from 12 yards. A last-ditch tackle saw his third chance deflected over the crossbar but it hardly mattered when, on 10 minutes, Ronaldo fired the Reds in front with a scorching volley.
Fulham's Steven Davis won't want to see the replay too often. He had an opportunity to clear the danger with a header on the edge of the box, but instead sent the ball back into a crowd of players. Nemanja Vidic rose highest to flick the ball onto Ronaldo, who lashed a first-time volley across Niemi and into the far corner.
United's dominance continued as Rooney, Tevez and Ronaldo played for
fun in and around the Fulham back four. A series of flicks, tricks and first-time touches opened up the visitors' defence time and again and a second goal seemed a formality.
Tevez almost had the honour on 23 minutes when he was first to Ryan Giggs' low cross at the near post. Niemi again denied him with a sharp save, although it's debatable how much the Finland international knew about it.
Fulham – and Danny Murphy in particular – twice came close in as many minutes to netting a shock equaliser against the run of play. Murphy's first shot, a right foot drive from 20 yards that drew a fine save from Edwin van der Sar low to his left, capped a gorgeous passage of passing from Lawrie Sanchez's men. His second, a curling effort from almost the same spot, also sent van der Sar flying across the goal; this time the Dutchman was grateful to see it fizz wide of the post.
The visitors' best chance of the half fell to Shefki Kuqi on 43 minutes when he arrived unmarked at the far post to meet Simon Davies' cross. The striker, on loan from Crystal Palace, made good connection with the ball but blazed his header high and wide from six yards.
Without question, a 1-1 half-time scoreline would have flattered Fulham. United had been slick and incisive, with Niemi offering the only resistance to the Reds' glittering attacking play.
John O'Shea came on for Patrice Evra at the break and quickly made a telling impact, crossing for Ronaldo to head home his second of the match on 58 minutes. The Portuguese winger outjumped Dejan Stefanovic to meet O'Shea's cross from the left wing and executive a perfect downward header that had Niemi well beaten to his left. It was Ronaldo's 13th strike this season and his seventh against Fulham in just 10 appearances.
The 75,055 packed inside Old Trafford almost had a third goal to celebrate after 67 minutes when the Reds pulled the visitors' defence every which way before Wayne Rooney skewed a shot wide.
Louis Saha was thrown on against his former club for the last 20 minutes, while Michael Carrick also came off the bench for a cameo role. Somewhat disturbingly, Carrick's introduction was at the expense of Rio Ferdinand, who immediately ran off down the tunnel looking worse for wear.
United continued to assert pressure and Ronaldo looked certain to notch his first Reds' hat-trick on 79 minutes.
Sent clear through the middle, Ronaldo rounded Antti Niemi and appeared to get clipped on the back leg. Ronaldo went down, United fans went up in appeal for a penalty and referee Rob Styles blew his whistle. But instead of pointing to the spot, Styles awarded Fulham a free kick and booked Ronaldo for simulation.
Chances then fell to Giggs, Saha, Tevez and Ronaldo to inflict further damage, but in the end two goals was all United could muster.
Source:
Manchester United Official Web Site HURRAY for MAN U 
Cheers for Ronaldo 
It could have been Hat Trick !!!
for that bloody Referee 
Man U 2 - 0 Fulham | Report 
Re: Man U 2 - 0 Fulham | Report 
it was a below par performance by the red devils though 
