Manchester United strolled past Fulham at Old Trafford with a 2-0 win that sends them back into second place in the Premier League.

Cristiano Ronaldo scored goals in either half to settle the match but missed out on a hat-trick as he was denied a penalty and booked for diving instead by referee Rob Styles.

Substitute Louis Saha, who along with team-mate Edwin van der Sar and Fulham striker David Healy was facing his former club in this match, played Ronaldo through on goal and the Portuguese winger went down as goalkeeper Antti Niemi came out to intercept him.

Although it was not initially clear whether contact was made, Niemi appeared to impede Ronaldo's progress, but the Hampshire official brandished a yellow card to the United man for simulation.

Ronaldo had opened the scoring after just nine minutes of the first half. Ryan Giggs's third corner in quick succession was only half-cleared and Fulham midfielder Steven Davis headed the ball back into the box instead of away from goal. United defender Nemanja Vidic flicked the ball on to Ronaldo, who struck a crisp volley right into the far corner.

That goal was the culmination of a period of unrelenting pressure from United that began virtually from the kick off, with Carlos Tevez failing to convert several chances.

In only the third minute Ronaldo, who on Sunday finished runner-up to Kaka for the Ballon d'Or award, sent over a cross to the far post and Tevez, having timed his run perfectly, sent his diving header just wide.

Just two minutes later Wes Brown, who enjoyed plenty of time and space whenever he got into a forward position, squared a low ball for Tevez to strike first time, but the effort was straight at Niemi.

Fulham struggled to maintain any sustained spells of possession all through the half, but should have gone into the break level when Shefki Kuqi headed a perfectly-placed Simon Davies cross over the bar.

United finally doubled their lead just before the hour when substitute John O'Shea's cross was met by Ronaldo, who jumped above an unsuspecting Dejan Stefanovic and nodded the ball into the far bottom corner.

A lot has been made of the fact that Fulham fade significantly towards the end of matches this season, and although they did not concede in the last fifteen minutes, United had plenty of chances to extend their lead.

After his booking Ronaldo found himself through on goal only to see Niemi smother his shot and Aaron Hughes clear away the rebound.

That was followed by efforts from Ryan Giggs, yet to score a league goal at Old Trafford this season, and Saha.

Tony Mabert / Eurosport