POST MATCH REACTION: Manchester United 1-0 Fulham

It was ugly. It was edgy. It was nerve racking in the last 10 minutes. But we got the three points and that is all that matters. We are three points clear of Manchester City at the top of the table and that is all that matters. Fulham may well have nicked something had they expressed themselves a little more. They had no attacking intent at all for the first 70 minutes. Defending very deep.

Wayne Rooney was dissapointing, as were many of his teammates in the attacking 3rd, yet he scored the winner with the first half drawing to a close.

We largely dominated possession. Yet couldn't create any clear cut chances. Partly because Fulham defended well with two banks of four. Partly because we were so wasteful. We maneuvered the ball into some very good positions, yet our final ball was lacking.

David De Gea can be proud once again. He didn't have to make any outstanding saves. But he commanded his area so well with some good punches from high ball, and good catches from drilled crosses. His handling is a joy to behold. He catches where others would only parry.

Ryan Giggs was chosen in CM. Preferred to Paul Scholes, he was very disappointing in the first half. Too many passes went amiss, and he was trying too many spectacular balls that were cut out.

Our wingers were possibly our best attacking players tonight. Ashley Young was always threatening. It was his cross that led to our goal. It found Evans who played it back to Rooney for a poachers finish. he also had numerous efforts that were either saved well or blocked.

And Valencia. Not as scintillating as last week, yet still effective. His runs caused trouble for the Fulham defense all night. He had an effort saved by Mark Schwarzer, who had a good game, at the start of the second half. He ran onto Giggs's pass through the centre and hit a powerful effort.

And it could have been level on the stroke of 90 minutes. Danny Murphy entered the Manchester united box and Micheal Carrick challenged him. At first glance it seemed as though he played the ball, as it went shooting off in the direction of his challenge. Yet the replay showed he had kicked the Fulham man's foot, not the ball. Should have been a Peno.

One area of concern is Rio Ferdinand. He and Evans played well. Yet the Englishman had to come off with about 20 minutes left. Hopefully not injured as he will be a key player in the run in.

Not a great game. On a night where we could have really closed the goal difference, we were held to only 1 goal by a determined Fulham side. But who cares how ugly it is when we take all three points at this stage of the season?