Lisandro Martinez struck a deflected winner as Manchester United handed Ruben Amorim an early birthday present with a resilient 1-0 victory at Fulham.
The Argentine defender’s speculative 25-yard effort took a wicked nick off Sasa Lukic that looped over Bernd Leno 12 minutes from time.
It was the visitors’ only shot on target in a match of few opportunities and lifts The Red Devils – who see boss Amorim turn 40 on Monday – up to 12th spot in the Premier League standings.
Fulham had the better of the first half and went close through Alex Iwobi, but struggled to create much of note following the interval.
The home side had hoped to extend a six-match unbeaten run on home turf, but were thwarted late on as United substitute Toby Collyer cleared Joachim Andersen’s header off the line.
It means Fulham sit in 10th place, eight points adrift of the top five. Improving United are four points further back.