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Manchester United visited Craven Cottage as they looked to keep their unbeaten run going whereas for Fulham, it was all about survival and getting out of the relegation zone. United made six changes to the side that started last week against Leicester with Smalling getting a start after an injury layoff.
Fulham started the game on the front foot with Vietto getting a glorious opportunity to put the home side ahead, but he could not keep his shot down. Ranieri's team could have lead by two goals, the way they attacked United in the first quarter of the game.
However, Fulham's weak defence got exposed when Paul Pogba scored from a very narrow-angle with his weaker foot to put the visitors ahead in the match. It didn't take long for United to double their lead as Antony Martial dribbled past the Fulham defence to score an impressive solo goal, and the Red Devils preserved their two-goal lead till the half time.
The second half was all about United as the Red Devils took command from the start enjoying the majority of possession which finally led to their third goal where Paul Pogba scored from the spot after Mata was fouled inside the box. Fulham couldn't show the intent they did in the first half as Solskjaer's men walked away with all three points and moved to fourth in the table for the time being.
Here are three positives from United's performance.
#3 Another clean sheet for United
Manchester United had a horrendous start to their 2018-19 campaign much down to the side's weak defence which was highlighted by Mourinho being criticised heavily by the fans.
Mourinho didn't trust the defenders he had in the side, which in turn didn't do justice to their confidence either. However, Solskjaer has injected a new belief in his central defenders who now seem to do no wrong. Keeping in mind the PSG game in midweek, Solskjaer played Jones and Smalling in defence and both of them did well against the physicality of Mitrovic up front.
Even the likes of Shaw and Dalot defended the channels well and thwarted any attacks down the flanks. It was a professional performance from the Red Devils who registered a fourth consecutive away clean sheet this season.
#2 Antony Martial's growing confidence
Since his debut season for Manchester United under then manager, Louis Van Gaal, Martial had a difficult period at the club for the next couple of campaigns. However, in this season, he has regained his lost form and been among the goals with Solskaer's appointment further revitalizing the Frenchman.
When Sanchez arrived at United, Martial lost his place in the starting XI. The fans wanted to see Antony back in the side, and once Jose gave him an opportunity, he didn't look back. At one point in the season when Lukaku and Rashford were struggling to score, it was Martial who came up with some crucial goals including the brace against Chelsea earlier in the campaign.
The Frenchman recently signed a new long term contract at United, and it reflected in his game today. In the first half, Martial produced one moment of brilliance where he dribbled past a couple of Fulham defenders and finished off brilliantly giving Rico no chance in goal. That exemplified the form and the confidence he is in at the moment.
#1 Paul Pogba's fantastic goalscoring form continues
Pogba was one of the few players who had a fall out with former manager Jose Mourinho which raised speculations of him leaving the club in January. Even Jose reportedly called him a "virus" after a game which later seemed to affect the Frenchman's performances as well.
Once Solskjaer took charge from Mourinho, things started improving for the World Cup winner as he looked rejuvenated and has been the best player for United in the last few matches. Whenever the opponent sits deep, Paul Pogba is the key to unlock such defences.
Today, Fulham started the game brightly and should have taken the lead within the first quarter of the match. However, they were made to pay for their poor finishing. As the home side pushed up, they left a lot of space at the back for United to exploit with Martial laying off Paul who hit a powerful shot with his left foot giving Rico no chance at goal.
In the second half, United dominated possession, and they got their third goal as Mata got fouled inside the box only for Pogba to calmly slot home from the spot. It was his eleventh goal in the League and this is the first time he has scored ten in a season in any league.
