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United started the game the way they did against Arsenal, pressing higher and trying to put together a string of quick passes. The right flank looked ominous for the Red Devils with Dalot delivering some dangerous crosses into the box. Finally Ashley Young provided the breakthrough with a delightful curling shot on the top right-hand corner.
It was two within the first half an hour of the game as Mata carefully slotted home from Rashford's low cross. The fantastic first half was rounded off with Lukaku making it three before the break.
Manchester United looked a bit complacent at the start of the second half allowing Fulham to have more possession in the game. However, against the run of play, Herrera got a glorious chance to increase the lead, but his shot went wide off the post. Fulham got the reward for their efforts as Kamara pulled one back from a penalty.
Rashford sealed the points with a booming shot from outside the box beating Rico in his near post. It was a comfortable victory for United which moved them to sixth in the table.
Here are the three things we learned from the game.
#3 A rare first-half dominance by the Red Devils
In recent times, United's lack of proactiveness in the first half has left the Red Devils to do it all in the second. However, today was a different proposition.
Fulham was the ideal team for Jose Mourinho's side to start well and get the lead. The West London side has the worst defensive record in the League and is fighting against time to get out of the relegation zone.
United was off from the word go and took the lead through Ashley Young. A few moments later, Rashford teed up Mata to double the lead for the Red Devils. However, the best part of the half was Lukaku getting into the scoreboard which would do his confidence a world of good. It was the for the first time so far this season that Mourinho's side took a three-goal lead in the opening 45 minutes of a match.
#2 Defensive woes for Claudio Ranieri
Fulham came into the game languishing at the bottom of the table and with the worst defensive record in the League. Ranieri even said during his appointment that the defence would be the key to Fulham's survival.
Against Manchester United, they were on the back foot from the start allowing the Red Devils to dominate the proceedings and even score three goals in the first half. It could have been more, had United took all their chances. Ranieri's side did get one goal back, but in defence, they looked like conceding every time United moved forward.
Finally, late in the game, Rashford scored after a mistake by Rico near his first post. The goalkeeper should save the shot from the England International. If Fulham has to stay up, the defence has to start performing better. Otherwise, it would be an impossible task to save relegation.
#1 Dalot, the long-term solution to United's right back problems
The 19-year-old Portuguese International impressed during his time at Porto which made Mourinho sign the right back in the summer. Dalot was injured at the start of the season and spent most of his recovery days playing for United's U23.
The former Porto man made his debut for the Red Devils in the cup competition, but his first start of the Premier League was against Arsenal last time out. It was a slightly nervy game for the youngster as he tried his best to cope up with the frighting Gunner's attack.
Still, Mourinho praised the fullback after the game and compared him with former United legend, Gary Neville. Mourinho even considered Dalot as the someone who could stay at Old Trafford for the next decade.
Today, it was evident why the manager regarded Dalot so highly. He was at his absolute best from the start against Fulham repeatedly making runs down the flanks and provided some inviting crosses for the forward to poke in.
Defensively, he was solid as well making some crucial tackles in the first half. Despite not providing or scoring a goal, he could easily be United's Man of the Match against Fulham.
