Fulham 1-2 Manchester United: Player ratings as Paul Pogba stunner sends Red Devils top

Manchester United returned to the top of the Premier League with a 2-1 win over Fulham at Craven Cottage on Wednesday evening.

Ademola Lookman gave Fulham the lead inside six minutes, latching onto Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa's lofted pass and cooly slotting home.

United grew into the game and were level after 21 minutes. Bruno Fernandes' cross was palmed into the path of Edinson Cavani by Alphonse Areola, and the Uruguayan striker made no mistake from close range.

The Red Devils took the lead in the second half with a moment of pure genius, Paul Pogba sending a stunning long range effort into the net.

Let's get into some player ratings.

Fulham player ratings

1. Goalkeeper & Defenders

Alphonse Areola (GK) - 6/10 - Failed to deal with Fernandes' low cross, palming it into the path of Cavani as United equalised. Made a good save moments later to keep out a Fernandes effort, and a fabulous stop in the second half to deny Cavani.

Kenny Tete (RB) - 6/10 - Big ask to handle both Martial and Shaw, but doggedly stuck to his task.

Tosin Adarabioyo (CB) - 7/10 - Popped up with an important block to deny Greenwood late in the first half and turned in a really tenacious display.

Joachim Andersen (CB) - 6/10 - Helped to hold a smart Fulham line, catching United offside on a couple of occasions.

Ola Aina (CB) - 6/10 - Confident playing out from the back and turned in a dogged defensive shift.

Joe Byran (LB) - 6/10 - Did a good job on Mason Greenwood, keeping the United winger relatively quiet.

2. Midfielders

Harrison Reed (CM) - 5/10 - Pogba got the better of him in the buildup to United's second, with Reed affording the United man a little too much space on the edge of the Fulham box. Neat and tidy in possession.

Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa - 6/10 - Picked out Lookman with a perfect, floated ball in behind as the Cottagers took the lead. In the thick of the action, popped up with a couple of neat through balls.

3. Forwards

Ruben Loftus-Cheek (RW) - 6/10 - A couple of flashes of quality in the second half, flicking the ball past Maguire, driving to the byline and putting in an enticing delivery. Could have levelled the scores, but was kept out by a good De Gea save.

Ademola Lookman (ST) - 7/10 - Gave Fulham the lead in the fifth minute with a clinical finish from close range, darting in behind and giving De Gea no chance.

Ivan Cavaleiro (LW) - 4/10 - Blew hot and cold - looked like he could have had the beating of Wan-Bissaka, but his first touch and decision making was lacking at times.

4. Substitutes

Aboubakar Kamara - 5/10

Mario Lemina - 5/10

Aleksandar Mitrovic - 5/10

Manchester United player ratings

5. Goalkeeper & Defenders

David de Gea (GK) - 7/10 - Produced a crucial save to deny Loftus-Cheek in the second half.

Aaron Wan-Bissaka (RB) - 6/10 - Played Lookman onside for Fulham's opener. Given a bit of a tough time by Lookman and occasionally lax in possession in the first half, much more assured defensively in the second.

Eric Bailly (CB) - 6/10 - Question marks over both of United's centre halves for Fulham's opener, Lookman gifted acres of space to run in behind unmarked.

Harry Maguire (CB) - 6/10 - Doubts over the United defending for Fulham's opener given the ease at which Lookman drifted through on goal unopposed. Failed to hit the target with a free header from a corner.

Luke Shaw (LB) - 7/10 - Put in a couple of dangerous crosses in the second half and was assured defensively once more.

6. Midfielders

Fred (CM) - 6/10 - Typically tenacious and combative, giving Pogba and Fernandes the freedom to work their magic.

Paul Pogba (CM) - 8/10 - Sent in a fabulous ball to pick out Fernandes in the second half, before giving United the lead with a stunningly audacious solo strike from range. A thing of real beauty.

Bruno Fernandes (CAM) - 7/10 - Clattered the post with his first sight of goal with a sweetly struck first half effort, before his dangerous cross was turned into the path of Cavani for United's equaliser.

7. Forwards

Mason Greenwood (RW) - 6/10 - Drifted in and out of the game, sending in a couple of teasing deliveries and occasionally getting at the Fulham backline, but largely a bit isolated.

Edinson Cavani (ST) - 8/10 - Popped up in the right place at the right time to pounce on Areola's spill and level the scores. Put in such a shift and caused Fulham all sorts of problems with his intelligent movement.

Anthony Martial (LW) - 6/10 - Rose highest and headed a half chance over towards the end of the first period.

8. Substitutes

Marcus Rashford - N/A

Scott McTominay - N/A

Nemanja Matic - N/A