FULHAM showed plenty of spirit at Old Trafford, but not enough firepower to seriousy discomfort the league leaders - who never looked in danger of surrendering an early lead.

Dimitar Berbatov netted after 12 minutes after being set up by Nani and the same provider put in a cross for Antonio Valencia to head home number two in 32 minutes.

United made eight changes from the team which played Chelsea in the midweek Champions League tie and they did not need to strain tehmselves ahead of the return leg on Tuesday night.

Eidur Gudjohnsen went close for Fulham at the start of the second half, while a Bobby Zamora free-kick and Chris Baird strike might have brought reward, but it was mostly comfortable for the champions-elect, who hardly missed the suspended Wayne Rooney.

Mark Hughes gave a rare start to Gael Kakuta (pictured), who had one good effort from long distance, but Fulham looked a long way off repeatingn their famous win of 2003 at United.

The Fulham boss said: "We gave ourselves too much to do in that first half. We're a little bit disappointed with the first goal because we felt it was offside and after that we conceded a really poor goal after a comedy of errors really. 2-0 played into United's hands and they could very comfortably see the game out.

"We were better in the second half, but never really had that threat in behind because United could play counter-attack football and soak up any pressure we could try to create."

"Our record at Old Trafford is poor to say the least and anything we would have got today would have been a bonus.

"When you come to the home of the champions elect is very difficult to get a positive result. I don't think anyone else apart from one team has managed that and we didn't look likely to change that."

Follow us on Facebook and Twitter for the latest Fulham news.