Fulham 0-5 Manchester United: Fergie slams "aggressive" tactics

Furious Sir Alex Ferguson accused "aggressive" Fulham of kicking Ashley Young out of the Christmas programme as United's injury-curse lengthened.

Fergie's delight at the way his side turned a potential trial by the Thames into a riverside romp was overshadowed by the injuries that will rule Phil Jones out for six weeks with a suspected fractured cheek and Young for 21 days.

United were simply far too good for feeble Fulham, first half goals from Danny Welbeck, Nani and the evergreen Ryan Giggs followed by scintillating late strikes from Wayne Rooney and substitute Dimitar Berbatov.

The superb performance meant United have picked up 22 points out of 24 since their home humiliation by Manchester City.

But with United already missing seven first-teamers, the extra injury blows leave the Old Trafford chief with a threadbare-looking squad in comparison to their rivals from the other side of town.

And while Ferguson did not condemn Clint Dempsey for the second-minute clash that forced Jones' exit after 20 minutes, he was clearly fuming over the Dickson Etuhu challenge that caught Young - who had replaced his England team-mate, out before the hour mark.

Ferguson, already missing Nemanja Vidic, Anderson, Tom Cleverley, Fabio Da Silva, Darren Fletcher, Rio Ferdinand and Michael Owen, said: "It was an elbow from Dempsey but I don't think it was intentional.

"He caught Jones and we'll send him for an X-ray. We'll see on Thursday but it doesn't look great.

"But there were some very aggressive tackles in the second half and Ashley Young paid the price of that. He was hurt and had to come off as well and will be out for two or three weeks.

"We are picking up injuries at the moment. Rio got a knock on the foot on Sunday at QPR but he should be available for the Blackburn game."

Despite the injuries, United were simply far too good for outclassed Fulham, who did not help themselves with a series of defensive blunders.

Just like at Loftus Road on Sunday, United went ahead with their first attack, when Bryan Ruiz allowed Nani to wander from half-way before pulling back for the unmarked Welbeck to sweep home.

Giggs' short-corner routine allowed Nani to flick home and when the Portuguese walked through the static Fulham back-line, Giggs's shot deflected off Philippe Senderos to loop over David Stockdale.

It would have been fitting had Giggs, who has now scored in each of the Premier League's 20 season, had claimed the 20,000th goal in the competition, although the Welsh wonder had to settle for number 19999 instead.

Fulham were left in utter disarray as United went through them at will, Nani unstoppable - although the home side might have made a token effort, Welbeck's movement excellent, Rooney drifting into space.

"It's not an easy place to come, which is why we'd only picked up one point out of nine in the last three years," added Fergie.

"So it was very satisfying. We played some superb football, were really bon song and it was one of our best performances of the season.

"It helps to score an early goal. That gave us the control we wanted."

Fulham, booed off at the break, were slightly better afterwards but could not find a way past Anders Lindegaard, in for David De Gea, even when Valencia took over from Jones at right-back.

And having withstood all that Jol's men could throw at them, Andy Johnson twice coming close while Bobby Zamora made just a late cameo appearance, United twisted the knife late-on.

First Rooney exploded a stunning 30-yarder that left Stockdale groping fresh air, making it four goals in three games since Fabio Capello's UEFA lobbying bore fruit.

Then, as the home fans who did not wait to jeer Fulham again were streaming for the exit doors, Berbatov's sumptuous back-heel from a Valencia cross gave the Bulgarian his first Premier League goal since netting against Fulham in April.

Ferguson added: "It was a great strike from Wayne and a great goal from Berbatov."

The Scot had reason to be satisfied, not only by the response of his players but also their growing swagger.

Yet with players dropping like nine-pins, he may be starting to wonder if he will be able to put any sort of team out soon. And City do not have that sort of problem at all.