United’s misery continues

United again lost another match opening the title race once again wide open . United lost a match at Craven cottage after four decades. The start was not what United wanted with Scholes getting red card for handling the ball and was given a penalty within the first 20 minutes . The team selection was not proper with Rooney sitting on the bench and Ronaldo and Berbatov starting as strikers and Fletcher on right wing . This gave Fullham unnecessary possession and it lead on to the goal .

United struggled with 10 men all throughout first half and Berbatov got injured . The second half was a different story with United starting Rooney upfront which gave them width and the versatile striker was behind all United attack with Fullham keeper somehow making good saves. And as United pressed for a second-half equaliser, Zoltan Gera struck on the break with a superb control and finish.Seconds later, Rooney threw the ball away in frustration to earn a second booking on a miserable day for United, whose lead could be cut to one point.

The corner from Simon Davies was headed goalwards by Brede Hangeland and after Zamora's first flick-on was saved by Van der Sar, his second attempt was kept out by the hands of Scholes.

Captain Murphy stepped up to send Van der Sar the wrong way from the spot and give Fulham the lead.

United had clearly struggled to compete in the opening exchanges and the goal was just reward for Fulham's bullish opening.

The Cottagers were humbled 4-0 in the FA Cup at Craven Cottage by United earlier in the month but Sir Alex Ferguson's side now faced a struggle to get back into the game after being reduced to 10 men.

Fulham continued to dominate and only a brilliant save from Van der Sar prevented Zamora from making it 2-0 in the 21st minute.

Fulham wasted two more chances to go further ahead with Van der Sar saving brilliantly from Zamora again in the 27th minute and then two minutes later Dempsey sent a right-foot drive flashing wide from 20 yards.

In the 32nd minute a cross from Dempsey was met by the head of Dickson Etuhu but the Fulham midfielder's header was collected safely by Van der Sar.

Moments later the Dutchman had to be alert once more as he dived to his right to catch a ferocious long-range drive from Zamora.

Second-half fightback

Fulham were given a standing ovation at the half-time whistle, but it would be United that would come out from the break with renewed intent.

Ferguson decided Rooney would provide more firepower in attack as he replaced the ineffective Berbatov for the second half.

In the 52nd minute a cross from Darren Fletcher saw Cristiano Ronaldo climb high to send a header just over the Fulham crossbar.

United were beginning to get back into the game and Fletcher brought a save from Mark Schwarzer in the 59th minute when he let loose with a low drive from 20 yards.

And Fulham had Schwarzer to thank again in the 61st minute when he saved superbly to keep out a powerful header from Ronaldo.

But the best was yet to come when, in the 64th minute, the Australian produced an incredible double save at point-blank range to deny Park Ji-Sung and Rooney and then dived full length to keep out a Ronaldo drive.

Fulham were reeling for the first time in the game and Murphy was forced off through injury to be replaced by Olivier Dacourt in the 67th minute.

The next fifteen minutes came and went and the storm had been more or less ridden by the Cottagers, leaving just enough time for Zoltan Gera to put the icing on the cake.

Substitute Gera struck their second from Johnson's assist with an acrobatic effort, and Rooney earned a second bookable offence by throwing the ball away as the frustration of defeat proved too much to bear.