Ademola Lookman 7, Tosin Adarabioyo 6; Paul Pogba 8, Bruno Fernandes 7 - Fulham v Manchester United player ratings

Pogba thundered a left-foot shot past Fulham keeper Alphonse Areola in the 65th minute to earn United a 2-1 win

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  FULHAM RATINGS: Alphonse Areola, 6 - The PSG loanee had a shocker when he fumbled what should’ve been a regulation cross collection, allowing for Edinson Cavani to nod home an equaliser, but dusted himself down to make a great save at full stretch to deny Bruno Fernandes shortly after. A wonder save midway through the second half denied Cavani a second. AFP

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  Kenny Tete, 6 - The right wing-back should have done better with an attack out wide that didn’t look like going anywhere but ultimately resulted in Cavani’s leveller. A good block denied a goal-bound Luke Shaw volley early in the second half. AFP

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  Ola Aina, 7 - Made a great bursting run on the counter attack that forced Paul Pogba to take a yellow card in order to stop him advancing towards goal. Defensively, he did just enough to put Harry Maguire off a header with what was a good chance for the United centre-half. Yellow-carded in the 69th minute for pulling back Martial and replaced by Aleksandar Mitrovic in the 83rd minute. EPA

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  Joachim Andersen, 6 - Caught flat-footed by his goalkeeper’s mishandling and Cavani’s alertness allowed him to steal in and tuck the ball away, before allowing Martial to get on the wrong side of him for a decent chance late in the first half. AFP

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  Tosin Adarabioyo, 6 - A steady game at centre-back, but could’ve done better with a half-chance in the first half when he failed to make a decent connection with a header from just inside the penalty area. Reuters

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  Joe Bryan, 6 - The Englishman would perhaps liked to have ventured forward a touch more, but he did a great job in keeping Mason Greenwood quiet on the United right. However, his decision to stand off Pogba was punished by the Frenchman, who produced a moment of brilliance to put United ahead. Booked for a trip just after the hour mark. Reuters

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  Harrison Reed, 6 - Quietly kept things ticking over and helped his side build up a quick tempo in the opening half-hour, before United’s midfield wrestled back control and dominated the game. His only sight of goal was a dipping effort that flew a few yards over the bar in the second half. EPA

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  Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa, 6 - A lovely clipped ball over the top released Lookman into space for the forward to lash home the early opener, and that wasn’t the only time the Cameroonian caused problems with marauding runs and probing passes in the first half. Booked for treading on Pogba in the 12th minute and a quiet second half ended in the 79th minute when he was replaced by Mario Lemina. AFP

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  Ruben Loftus-Cheek, 7 - The 24-year-old produced a great piece of skill to turn Harry Maguire and leave him for dead, before providing a dangerous cross that was begging for a finishing touch. However, later on the midfielder twice fluffed his lines from 12 yards out when he really should’ve buried at least one chance. AFP

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  Ivan Cavaleiro, 6 - The Portuguese will be kicking himself that a poor touch saw him run the ball out of play despite getting himself in behind the United defence with a clear sight of goal. Replaced by Aboubakar Kamar for the final 19 minutes AFP.

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  Ademola Lookman, 7 - Showed great composure to size up his early chance and emphatically fire the ball past David de Gea into the bottom corner to put Fulham 1-0 up. The makeshift striker kept himself busy and made a real nuisance of himself with his direct running on the ball, but he should’ve done better when he fired straight at De Gea from 18 yards early in the second half. EPA

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  SUB: Aboubakar Kamara (Cavaleiro, 71’), - A poor pass to Harrison Reed took the momentum away from a Fulham counter a few minutes after his introduction and he was unable to inspire a late comeback. AFP

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  SUB: Mario Lemina (Zambo Anguissa, 79’), - Slotted into midfield but didn’t bring a huge deal to the party. AFP

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  SUB: Aleksandar Mitrovic (Aina, 83’), N/R Unable to grind out a late chance in his short spell on the pitch. AFP

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  MANCHESTER UNITED RATINGS: David de Gea - 6. Quiet first half after the early goal. Important save with his foot from Loftus-Cheek with 15 minutes to play as Fulham gave late pressure. EPA

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  Aaron Wan-Bissaka - 7. Blocked Lookman then gave ball away a minute later. Then played Lookman onside for Fulham to take the lead after five minutes. Brilliant ball to Martial after 28 minutes and another good cross. Got to by-line and made a superb challenge on Lookman in time added on. More touches than any player on the pitch. EPA

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  Eric Bailly - 6. Poor, hesitant judgement for opening goal but settled like his team against the tangible threat of Lookman and Loftus-Cheek. Better successful passing rate than any player. Mitrovic header hit his thigh and almost went in late on. Reuters

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  Harry Maguire - 6. Drifted out of position for goal. Put a free header wide after 28 minutes and headed over in the second half as United had eight corners while Fulham didn’t have one. AFP

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  Luke Shaw - 7. Another good game in a good season for the full-back. Won every tackle and attacking intent saw him effective in the final. AFP

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  Fred - 8. A fighting performance in the rain as he tussled and pressed for 90 minutes. Played part in United’s equaliser and appealed for a first-half penalty after he was fouled. Covered much ground. AFP

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  Paul Pogba - 8. Enjoying his extended run in the team. Booked. As at Burnley a week ago, he came alive in the second half. Superb ball into box after 55 minutes as United pushed to go ahead, then he scored arguably United’s goal of the season 10 minutes later – from distance and with his weaker foot. Magical moment. AFP

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  Mason Greenwood - 6. Limited impact on the right but came into game more in second half. Nice one-two with Fernandes but still needs to find his mojo. AFP

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  Bruno Fernandes - 7. His 50th appearance in less than a year since he signed. Hit post after 20 minutes and then crossed for Cavani. Flashes of excellence, more shots than any other player. Late tackle dispersed a Fulham threat. AFP

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  Anthony Martial - 6. No shortage of effort and looks lively when he’s on the ball and tries to get shots off, but the goals are just not happening for the Parisian. AFP

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  Edinson Cavani - 8. Waiting to pounce in the box to put ball in to equalise after a poor United start. Incredible work rate off the ball and his runs deserved more service. An example. AFP

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  SUB: Scott McTominay - N/A. On for Martial after 84 to bolster United’s midfield as Solskjaer left it late to make his subs. AFP

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  SUB: Marcus Rashford - N/A. On for Greenwood for last six minutes – and to say he’s played in every United game this season. EPA

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  SUB: Nemanja Matic - N/A. On for Fernandes to contain Mitrovic in the final minute. EPA

French midfielder Paul Pogba described as "beautiful" his winning goal at Fulham that sent Manchester United back to the top of the Premier League on Wednesday.

United's record signing thundered a left-foot shot past Fulham keeper Alphonse Areola in the 65th minute to earn United a 2-1 win.

It was the second week running that Pogba had scored the winner, having also volleyed a decider at Burnley that sent United top for the first time this season.

Wednesday's strike was even better and put United back above Leicester City and Manchester City with 40 points from 19 games.

"Was a beautiful one," he said of his third league goal of the season. "When you go with your instinct you don't think and sometimes it goes well and that is what happened today."