The victory – United’s first in five league matches – moved them up to sixth in the table and lifted some of the gloom that has enveloped the club. Manchester United recorded their biggest Premier League win of the season as they swept aside bottom-of-the-table Fulham at Old Trafford.
The hosts took the lead after 13 minutes when Ashley Young bustled his way into the penalty area and curled the ball into the far corner past Sergio Rico.
Marcus Rashford set up Juan Mata for United’s second, before Romelu Lukaku finished from close range from Mata’s low cross.
Substitute Aboubakar Kamara pulled one back with a penalty after he had been fouled by Ander Herrera, but Claudio Ranieri’s side were soon reduced to 10 men when Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa was dismissed for two bookable offences.
England striker Rashford sealed United’s victory with a powerful strike from a tight angle that beat Rico at his near post.
This was the first time this season the Red Devils had won by a three-goal margin in the league, though they did beat Swiss side Young Boys 3-0 in the Champions League in September.
The last time they won by three goals in the league was on 15 January, with a 3-0 home defeat of Stoke.
United impress without Pogba
This was a welcome win for United after a derby defeat by Manchester City on 11 November that preceded three successive draws in the league – against Crystal Palace, Southampton and Arsenal.
Mourinho named World Cup winner Paul Pogba on the bench, as he was against the Gunners on Wednesday, while forward Anthony Martial was missing because of a hamstring injury sustained in that game.
The United boss kept faith with 19-year-old right-back Diogo Dalot, who was starting a Premier League match for only the second time after his £19m summer move from Porto.
Mourinho was rewarded with a fine performance from the teenager, who was a constant threat down the right as Fulham’s defence struggled to cope with their hosts.
United’s first goal came from the other full-back, Ashley Young, who picked up the ball on the side of the penalty area, bustled his way past Denis Odoi and curled the ball into the net.
Mata, who came into the side for Martial, was also excellent, scoring the second after good work from Rashford, then setting up Lukaku for the third.
That was only Lukaku’s second goal in 15 United games and looked to have killed the game off.
However, Kamara lifted Fulham’s hopes of a recovery with a controversial penalty after he was tackled by Herrera, who looked to have won the ball.
But the London side were reduced to 10 men within two minutes of that goal, and from then on United dominated again.
Rashford got the goal he deserved in the 82nd minute with a powerful strike from a tight angle to complete a fine evening for United and Mourinho.
Source: BBC News
