Manchester United 4-1 Fulham: 5 Talking Points & Tactical Analysis | Premier League 2018-19

Manchester United struck three goals in the first 45 minutes against Claudio Ranieri's Fulham to bag all three points and pile more misery on the West London side.

Goals from Ashley Young, Juan Mata and Romelu Lukaku and Marcus Rashford helped the cause. For the away side, Kamara got onto the score sheet.

United slowed the tempo in the second-half but nevertheless, sealed the three points rather comfortably. Fulham restored their rhythm back to a certain extent in the second period, but a red card to Andre Anguissa ended their minute hopes of a respectable show.

Manchester United seemed to be on the right track and as far as Mourinho and his coaching staff were concerned, there were a lot of smiles and high-fives around.

Here are the major talking points from Manchester United's comprehensive win over Fulham.

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#1 Tactical tweak from Jose once again

No place in the starting line-up for the showman

At the moment, Jose Mourinho just can't seem to find the right combination of players. Rather, a settled combination. Unlike last week where he played three at the back, the Portuguese reverted back to a back four.

Diogo Dalot, who was tormented by Sead Kolasinac last time out, benefited heavily from the change in system.

More importantly, two traditional center-halves formed the heart of defence, while Nemanja Matic went back to his preferred central defensive midfielder role. Ander Herrera was allowed to play more freely further up the pitch.

Juan Mata was recalled and he played a 'free roam' sort of a role. His movement, reliability and guile helped the cause and led to a strong start. While Rashford took the left wing spot, Lingard played just behind the striker - Romelu Lukaku.

Manchester United's star man Paul Pogba was left to the bench alongside high-profile summer signing Fred. Not much could be critiqued at start, but the hosts were looking far more comfortable in their usual 4-2-3-1 shape.

Mourinho has already made as many as 50 changes to his side, clearly portraying the dissatisfaction and confusion. Many will argue this isn't Manchester United's best team on paper, but at the moment, it's in the boss' hands.

#2 Fulham start brightly but Ashley Young scores a screamer

Young celebrates with teammates

The Cottagers started brightly, positioning themselves well and remaining organized, irrespective of the number of bodies forward committed by the home side.

They won the ball back in the middle of the pitch and sprayed a couple of long passes to the path of Mitrovic and Schurrle.

Moreover, in the first 10 minutes or so, the visitors enjoyed a fair share of the ball and they looked like challenging the Red Devils.

However, it didn't take too long for their defence to open up and an individual error to creep in. What more could you expect from Fulham?

On the back of some optimistic and fruitful play in midfield, United circulated the ball around with purpose.

Rashford and Young, who looked like two professionals toying with practice cones on the training ground, combined once more and the ball fell to the skipper.

Unlike most of the times where he would have loved to bring it back to his right foot and deliver a cross or pass it back safely, Young decided to take Denis Odoi on and go to the byline.

The latter's challenge was way too soft, which easily allowed the veteran to get the better of him.

What followed, was a moment of brilliance, as Young found the top corner from the tight angle to leave Sergio Rico with no chance and put his side's noses in front.

#3 Fulham get exposed, concede three in the first half

A sorrow figure

Not once, not twice, not actually thrice, but time and time again, Fulham's defence has been humiliated. Let's take a look at how they were broken down.

As aforementioned, Odoi's challenge on Young was too soft and purposeless. Also to metion, another thing that must be noticed is Andre Schurrle's position.

If the match tapes are replayed, one can locate Schurrle not behind Odoi, but two yards ahead. He should have got behind and provided some cover.

The second goal was no counter-attack or super sonic stuff from the hosts, but Fulham made it look like they were down by three men.

Lukaku, who was not even in his natural position, was allowed to win the ball and play it down the left flank. Surprisingly, there was no white shirt there.

It was far too easy for the Red Devils. Nobody knows how they were left with that much space, but a fine pass from Rasford followed by a calm finish from Juan Mata proved to be Fulham's undoing.

The third was too easy as well. Credit to the hosts for their clinical nature of play, but the Fulham full backs were way too narrow.

What made it worse was the lack of defensive cleanliness from the wingers. As a consequence, Lukaku had an easy tap-in from three yards.

#4 Fulham need to show more of their second half performance

Off the bench, on the score sheet\

The main problem for the Ranieri's men, whenever they won the ball back, was the inability and the poor accuracy of their out-ball. Neither does Mitrovic have the pace to take the ball and charge forward, nor did he receive the right kind of service always.

Post half-time team talk, they went back to basics, overloaded one side of the pitch and ran in behind more often. While Sessegnon shifted to the right, Schurrle operated from the left flank.

Defensively, although they stayed narrow, the back line played higher - a positive sign for a team looking to attack. The midfield drifted further closer to the defenders and helped weave out constructive passages of play.

As a result, they did see many shots on goal and scored a goal as well. An unfortunate red card turned out to be a speed-breaker albeit.

#5 Still lots to think for Jose and co.

It is still not done, Jose.

The English giants swept aside a hapless Fulham side and looked to be in cruise control throughout, but there's a long way to go for Mourinho.

First things first, he has to form a settled back line, with certain players for the big games and others as part of rotation.

He also has to look at Pogba, who can't sit out every game. He hasn't been at his consistent best, but you can't keep a player of his caliber out for too long.

Against Fulham, after having scored two goals, they started to press more and win more tackles than interceptions - an indication of attacking football. Now, his side have to go out there every week and show the same approach.

Crosses need to come in irrespective of the position of the opponent's full backs.

If Jose believes his side can finish in the top four, his side have to keep these things in mind, at least.