JOIN US United, who host Chelsea in the second leg of their Champions League quarterfinal on Tuesday, rested several first-choice players and had just the sort of undemanding afternoon they wanted as first-half goals by Dimitar Berbatov and Antonio Valencia proved decisive at Old Trafford.
United have 69 points with Arsenal, who visit Blackpool on Sunday, second on 59 with two games in hand.
Chelsea moved up to third on 58 points after a 67th-minute Florent Malouda goal was enough to beat bottom club Wigan Athletic 1-0 at Stamford Bridge. Manchester City, who visit Liverpool on Monday, have 56 points, three clear of Tottenham Hotspur who beat Stoke City 3-2.
Wolverhampton Wanderers remain second-last after losing 3-0 at home to Everton with West Ham United third-bottom after going down by the same score at Bolton Wanderers.
With Wayne Rooney suspended, United manager Alex Ferguson still felt able to make seven other changes from the team who won 1-0 at Chelsea in the Champions League last week.
Fulham had won one away game all season while United went into the match with 14 wins and a draw from 15 at home and those numbers proved a reliable form guide.