City had briefly topped the standings after beating Aston Villa 2-0 earlier on Wednesday.

"Fantastic goal by Paul and we had some other chances to finish the game but of course when it is just one goal and the players they put on it is going to be like heart in your mouth", manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said of the player who has only sporadically shone for United since returning in 2016.

While Manchester City and Leicester City are just two points adrift - and defending champions Liverpool are six back with a game in hand - Rooney feels his former side have the strength in depth to last the distance. Indeed, the idea that Pogba is only playing for a move seems a real stretch and - whatever his wider motives - would surely be trumped by the prospect of silverware this season.

Having lined up wide on the right in the 0-0 draw with Liverpool at the weekend, the France worldwide was utilised in a deeper central midfield role at Craven Cottage, though still made the most passes in the opposing team's half of any player on the pitch, demonstrating his influence on proceedings. The key was getting him match fit. Solskjaer went on to add that the player is now in good nick and is enjoying playing football.

He hasn't been quite as a prolific during his first season at United due to the fact he has been mainly used as a substitute, but Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has quickly grown to trust a man who has made a career out of sniffing out opportunities in the final third of the pitch.

Edinson Cavani equalized in the 21st, bundling home from close range after Fulham goalkeeper Alphonse Areola spilled a cross.

Fulham enjoyed another bright spell early in the second half with Lookman presented with a great chance after good work by Ruben Loftus-Cheek, only to shoot straight at De Gea.

His attributes are well suited to the role and it's a case of trying to get him to pay attention to both sides of the game more often.

The Bulgarian felt that it was important for someone within the team to step up and shoulder the goal-scoring responsibility when Bruno was having a bad game.

"It's not like I apologised to my teammates, but I was really mad, really mad".

"Where I think now, they've built a squad of players".

He singled out Paul Pogba's match-winner against Fulham as an example of this. "He is a magnificent footballer and when he's in this form, he's one of the best. He does everything, we know Paul can do more or less anything asked of a midfielder and he's putting it together now which is great to see".