OLE HEA OF MIN Solskjaer love-in goes on as & Martial send Reds to fourt

■ Fulham have conceded 58 goals in 26 Prem games. Only three sides have shipped more at this stage (Barnsley 97/98 – 62, Swindon 93/94 – 60 & Blackburn 11/12 – 59). against a backdrop of such a marked overall improvement, the decision- makers at Old Trafford must now be seeking reasons why he should not be given the job permanently.

In contrast, Fulham boss Claudio Ranieri had placed great emphasis, when he succeeded Slavisa Jokanovic, on building his survival fight on defensive solidity.

After a bright opening five minutes, during which Luciano Vietto and Andre Schurrle should have done better with clear sight of goal, those thoughts disappeared from the minds of his rearguard.

United scored with their first worthwhile foray into Fulham’s half. Possession was lost by the hosts 30 yards from their own goal.

Ander Herrera found Martial on the left. He had time to look up and spot Pogba’s break, which took him, s o me h o w unnoticed, beyond Fulham’s rearguard.

Though the angle was acute, the Frenchman backed himself and fired a shot inside Sergio

Rico’s right- hand post.

Midway through the half, Phil Jones stepped in front of Aleksandar Mitrovic and broke up an attack. His pass to Martial was received a few yards inside the forward’s own half.

The striker hit fifth gear, shrugged off the attention of Denis Odoi who just couldn’t get close – and was out of position in the first place – and then stepped inside and out of Maxime Le Marchand before planting a right- foot strike across Rico and into the bottom corner. It was all too easy. Fulham tried. But it always appeared as though they

would overstretch ■ Man United have won six consecu away games in all competitions for first time since May 2009.

■ United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer h

trying to find a way back. Romelu Lukaku took advantage of a poor attempt by Tim Ream to sneak the ball off him and scampered down the right. When he eventually played the ball inside, the hapless Le Marchand whipped Juan Mata’s legs from under him.

Pogba maintained his stuttering run-up. And his habit of finding the net.

Claudio Ranieri contested the penalty award. But he had little other cause for complaint.

He said: “We are in a very da si

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