He's back and the rest is Van Nistelrooy

Manchester United 2 Fulham 1

It was neither pretty nor particularly convincing, but Sir Alex Ferguson will not much care. Silverware is all that matters to the Manchester United manager and after seeing his club's chances of retaining their Premiership crown all but evaporate last weekend, the Scot was understandably delighted with yesterday's narrow victory over a resolute Fulham.

Ruud van Nistelrooy proved the difference between the teams and his two goals guaranteed that United's name will be in tomorrow's semi-final draw. "I was fresh," the Dutch scoring master joked when asked whether he felt he had a point to prove after being rested for last weekend's League game at Fulham. "I certainly felt good."

Fulham arrived at Old Trafford without their manager, Chris Coleman, who is still recovering from a virus, but with all the spirit and nous that had typified their two League meetings with United this season. Operating in their usual 4-5-1 formation, the visitors proved more than a match. In fact, they dominated the midfield battle and, but for the predatory instincts of Van Nistelrooy, might well have secured at least a draw.

"We have a great team, but they have exceptional individuals," was the candid assessment of Fulham's stand-in manager, Steve Kean. One of those is Cristiano Ronaldo, the Portuguese winger who tormented the Fulham defence all afternoon.

Inside a minute, Ronaldo dummied the Fulham left-back, Adam Green, before delivering a good cross into the area. Van Nistelrooy was there to tee up the on-rushing Ryan Giggs, but the Welshman's effort was tame. The home side were at it again after seven minutes, when Paul Scholes released Ronaldo with a perfectly flighted pass over the top of the Fulham defence and then watched as the teenager sent an instant ball across the face of goal. Only Zat Knight's timely intervention - his long legs are a huge advantage in those situations - prevented a near-certain opener for Van Nistelrooy.

One sensed it was only a matter of time before the Dutchman's chance would come and with 15 minutes gone he was duly presented with what, for him at least, would be considered a "sitter". Again, Ronaldo was at the heart of the move, exploiting Green's inexperience down the flank before whipping in a low cross. The Fulham centre-back, Alain Goma, got a touch but could not prevent the ball reaching Van Nistelrooy. Six yards out and with only the keeper to beat, the surprise was that the United striker fired high into the stands.

Fulham were under pressure, but holding firm. And the same could be said of their supporters, all 9,000 of them, who responded to every Old Trafford song with the taunt of "1-1 and you lost the League", a reference to last weekend's draw at Loftus Road, which left Manchester United nine points behind Arsenal in the title race. Those chants soon turned into delirium as Fulham were awarded a penalty midway through the first half.

Wes Brown, who continues to struggle for form and confidence since his latest return from injury in January, was the guilty party having chopped Luis Boa Morte down inside the box when there appeared to be no immediate danger. Steed Malbranque, as cool as ever despite the best efforts of the Stretford End faithful, fired the spot-kick past Tim Howard to become the first visiting player to score a penalty in a domestic match at Old Trafford since Ruel Fox 10 years ago.

Another Fulham upset seemed on the cards, although one sensed they would have to defend their lead until half-time to have a realistic chance of adding to their 3-1 victory here in October. In the event, their lead lasted less than two minutes. No doubt buoyed by their goal, the visitors' defence switched off, allowing Giggs to slip in behind them and then deliver a perfect cross into Van Nistelrooy's path. There was no mistake from the United No 10 this time, as he rifled the equaliser home from three yards.

Fulham might still have gone in with the lead at half-time. Knight collected the ball on the half-way line 10 minutes before the interval, exchanged passes with Malbranque and then unleashed a stunning right-foot shot which beat Howard but not the crossbar. Undaunted by the scare, United went close themselves when Giggs' 41st minute curling free-kick from the edge of the area skimmed the outside of Edwin van der Sar's post.

The home side had the first chance of the second half, too, as Darren Fletcher and Ronaldo played a neat one-two down the right before the young Scot found Giggs lurking in the Fulham area. A clever first touch and a smart shot forced Van der Sar into a save low down to his right. Then, with 54 minutes gone, Fletcher won a free-kick when he was brought down on the edge of the area. Ronaldo stepped up, made good contact with the ball, but saw his dipping effort crash off the top of the goal-frame.

"The boy's improving all the time," Sir Alex said later. "He was marvellous." United were getting closer and 28 minutes from time, finally took the lead. No prizes for guessing the two players involved in the goal, a near mirror image of the equaliser except that Ronaldo, rather than Giggs, was the provider on this occasion. The 20-year-old was sent free down the right by Fletcher before finding Van Nistelrooy two yards out. Jaded? Van Nistelrooy? Well, if he is, opponents would hate to see him at full strength.

Manchester United 2 Fulham 1
Van Nistelrooy 25, 62; Malbranque pen 23

Half-time: 1-1 Attendance: 67,614