Cristiano Ronaldo struck twice to send Manchester United back to second in the Premier League with a 2-0 win that prolonged Fulham's winless streak on the road.

The Portugal star fired the Red Devils ahead after nine minutes with an unstoppable volley and then doubled his tally in the 58th with a powerful header past Antti Niemi, his seventh goal against the Cottagers in 10 games.

Clint Dempsey was the only American on show, playing 64 minutes before making way for David Healy. Carlos Bocanegra was again an unused substitute.

September 2006 was the last time the Cottagers came home victorious and Lawrie Sanchez's men took the road back to London ruing another disappointing defeat.

United were worthy winners, creating a hatful of chances in front of a crowd of 75,055, although Fulham did have their moments and enjoyed 45% of the possession.

Carlos Tevéz almost gave his side the lead in the third minute, but sent his diving header from an Anderson cross just wide of the upright.

Two minutes later, the Argentinean rifled a shot at Niemi and then had another goalbound effort deflected over as United's high-octane start threatened to scorch Fulham's challenge before it had begun.

A goal arrived on the nine minute mark. Fulham looked helpless as Steven Davis' poor header from a Ryan Giggs corner was flicked on by Nemanja Vidic for Ronaldo to crack an irresistible volley high into the far corner.

Fulham caught their breath and managed to play some soccer, their first effort coming in the 20th minute when Dempsey shot from distance and Edwin van der Sar comfortably gathered.

Two minutes later, Niemi pulled off a magical reflex save on the line to deny Tevéz as United roared back into action.

But it was Fulham who had the better of the play around the half hour mark with Danny Murphy's 25-yarder forcing Van der Sar into a diving save against his old club, and the Cottagers' midfielder grazing the crossbar from the resultant corner with the Dutchman airborne again.

The Londoners went close again in the 43rd minute when Shefki Kuqi met Simon Davies' cross, but sent his close range header high and wide of the upright.

Ronaldo struck again 13 minutes after the break when he beat Dejan Stefanović to John O'Shea's left wing cross and stooped to head past Niemi.

Hameur Bouazza sent Paul Konchesky's cross over the bar on the hour mark before the home team moved up the gears again as Fulham retreated.

Yet despite their clear advantage, United failed to find a third goal for the sell-out crowd to cheer.

The returning Wayne Rooney sliced a shot wide when he looked like scoring in the 67th minute and Louis Saha found Niemi's gloves in the way of his dribble to goal in the 85th.

Ronaldo was the hero of the night, but seemed an unlucky villain with 11 minutes to go when he was booked for simulation, having rounded Niemi and appearing to have his feet clipped by the despairing Finn.

The Cottagers goalkeeper was undoubtedly the traveling hero, denying Giggs and Saha again late on as the seconds ticked away.

Fulham stay 14th, two points above the relegation zone, and on Saturday face another tricky away test away to Tim Howard's Everton.

Scoring
MU - Cristiano Ronaldo 7 (Nemanja Vidic) 10'
MU - Cristiano Ronaldo 8 (John O'Shea) 58'

Line-ups
MU- Edwin van der Sar; Wes Brown, Rio Ferdinand (Michael Carrick 75'), Nemanja Vidic, Patrice Evra (John O'Shea 46'), Cristiano Ronaldo, Owen Hargreaves, Anderson, Ryan Giggs, Carlos Tevéz, Wayne Rooney (Louis Saha 71')

FUL- Antti Niemi; Elliot Omozusi, Aaron Hughes, Dejan Stefanović, Paul Konchesky, Simon Davies, Steven Davis, Danny Murphy, Hameur Bouazza (Seol Ki-Hyeon 71'), Clint Dempsey (David Healy 64'), Shefki Kuqi