Cottagers goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer was at fault for the opener as he saved Paul Scholes's superb 25-yard volley but let the ball spin into the net. An imperious passing move from the home side then allowed Dimitar Berbatov to slot in a second. Wayne Rooney came off the bench to sidefoot home at the far post and round off a one-sided victory.The result provided United with the ideal launch pad for a spell of eight games in 25 days, including a Champions League tie against Inter Milan, the Carling Cup final against Tottenham and ending with the Premier League visit of Liverpool.
United all but confirmed the three points within the first half hour, enabling their players to preserve themselves for the tougher tests ahead, with Fulham barely providing a challenge to the Old Trafford side.
The visitors were not helped by keeper Schwarzer's poor performance, not least his early mistake that kick-started the home side's cruise to victory. Carrick floated a precise corner to Scholes and, although the midfielder produced a sweetly struck volley, Schwarzer got down to save the effort only to see it spin into his goal.
United had won their last eight Premier League games without conceding a goal and, despite Bobby Zamora glancing a header wide for Fulham, there was already an air of resignation about the visitors. (BBC Sport)
