Manchester United 0-0 Fulham: Wasteful United frustrated by Cottagers

Manchester United were still searching for that elusive opening goal against Fulham at Old Trafford.

Although a point would be enough to take United back to the Premier League summit, Sir Alex Ferguson and his men would be disappointed with anything but victory.

But on a couple of occasions Dimitar Berbatov, and also Wayne Rooney, failed to take opportunities to break the deadlock.

Berbatov returned to the Manchester United starting line-up as the Red Devils looked to jump back to the Premier League summit at Old Trafford.

Berbatov partnered Wayne Rooney in attack, while Michael Carrick returned from suspension to take over in central midfield from Paul Scholes.

Fulham hammered United 3-0 at Craven Cottage in December, although with the stakes so high, Sir Alex Ferguson would expect revenge to be exacted this afternoon, despite the presence of 15-goal Bobby Zamora for the visitors.

Chris Smalling was not allowed to play for the Cottagers due to his impending move to United in the summer, although given Wayne Rooney's current form, the youngster was probably relieved.

There was a late change on the United bench, where Corry Evans had to replace Paul Scholes.

Nani had an early shot blocked and Berbatov's header was deflected wide as United took control from the first whistle.

Darren Fletcher played an excellent one-two with Berbatov and charged into the box.

Instead of going for goal himself, the Scotland skipper tried to cut a cross back to Rooney but the 30-goal front-man could not make a clean connection and Mark Schwarzer smothered at the second attempt.

Antonio Valencia and Brede Hangeland both needed treatment after a mid-air collision, then, after Gary Neville had been robbed inside his own half, Clint Dempsey drove over from long range for the visitors.

Zoltan Gera's shot deflected wide off Patrice Evra as Fulham maintained their offensive.

Gera fouled Evra close enough to the Fulham area for Nani's cross to cause a sense of panic as Hangeland headed it behind.

Berbatov met Valencia's corner with an acrobatic volley but Rooney could not turn it goalwards as it bounced wide.

Rooney went down under Stephen Kelly's challenge as he tried to get on the end of Neville's far post cross but referee Michael Jones was unimpressed by the penalty claims.

A flowing move through midfield ended with Rooney finding Nani on the left wing.

The Portugal winger picked out Berbatov but the unmarked Bulgarian could only glide the ball over Schwarzer and his goal.

Rooney brought an excellent one-handed save out of Schwarzer with a 20-yard snap-shot before Michael Carrick dribbled a shot disappointingly wide from a similar distance.

Rooney got on the end of a Nani cross 12 minutes before the break but his header lacked the power to test Schwarzer.

Berbatov did not have the pace to race clear when Rooney played him behind the Fulham defence.

Instead, Berbatov rolled a pass to his strike partner, who had dashed up in support.

The effort eventually flew wide but not after what Rooney was convinced was a use of Kelly's arm, although again, Jones said no.

Zamora sent a speculative lob over after Danny Murphy had picked him out with an excellent pass.

Valencia was booked for tripping Dempsey before Rooney was only just off target with a curling shot from 25 yards.