RVP, Kagawa and Dembele shine as de Gea invites further trouble....

Robin Van Persie and Shinji Kagawa started against Fulham on Saturday and both scored on their Old Trafford debuts - a feat that has left United geeks scouring the record books - and according to some, this was indeed a first (if you know different let us know).

So far, so good then, as United ran out 3-2 winners in what was a very entertaining game, but one which ended with plenty of shredded nerves following what has been described as a 'mix up' between goalkeeper and defender.

The final score was tighter than perhaps it should have been, thanks to what in truth was a howler by David de Gea on 64 minutes; not for the first time, the Spaniard came and failed to effectively deal with a cross when the score was 3-1 - the mistake led to a deflected Vidic own goal. Words were exchanged between the two, as they both tried to apportion blame, but when a goalkeeper decides to go for a cross his actions have to be decisive - that didn't happen. Repercussions usually follow in such circumstances and it was no different against Fulham.  Other than that mistake, de Gea had a fine game - he saved United on a couple of occasions - he got lucky with his legs with one save, but no matter he dealt with it. Hopefully, de Gea's confidence won't have been knocked too much, but surely we can expect the opposition to continue to 'lump it into the box' in a bid test the Spaniard - and weren't we all hoping those days were behind us?

It would be wrong to focus too much on one mistake as there was positives aplenty to take from this game. Van Persie equalised with a stunning goal after Duff had given the visitors a shock early lead, which once again came about thanks to some questionable defending at the heart of a United defence that included makeshift centre-back Michael Carrick. The manner of Van Persie's first-half goal will have left United fans drooling for more - this was technique right out of the Marco van Basten archives - it really was reminiscent of the Dutch master himself. We cannot be sure that Evra's cross into the box was really meant for RVP, but the way he despatched it with his first touch will live long in the memory.

Shinji Kagawa then went on to light up Old Trafford with an intelligent passing display, one that suggests there's much to look forward to from a player who has quickly become a firm favourite with the  fans'. Without wanting to burden United's fast rising Japanese star, he looks to be every inch Scholes heir apparent - a huge compliment if ever there was one. To cap what must have been a memorable day, Kagawa gave United the lead from close range - in truth he couldn't miss.

Ferguson had elected to leave out Rooney and Welbeck following their poor performances in the defeat at Goodison Park earlier in the week, both were left to fester on the bench. Ferguson, started with Antonio Valencia and Rafael da Silva on the right, in their customary positions - both went on to have fine games.

Da Silva is an exciting young player, one who's ideally suited to the Red Devils attacking traditions  - he had a goal disallowed for offside, but moments later the referee couldn't save Fulham on 40 minutes when the Brazilian stole in to head United into a deserved 3-1 lead.

Rooney came on with Welbeck when replacing Young and Kagawa respectively on 68 minutes, and not long after left on a stretcher with a nasty gash on his lower inner thigh, it remains to be seen how long he will be out for; Ferguson claims four weeks. Like Rooney, Welbeck's contribution was minimal, but in fairness,  United weren't anywhere close to as good as they had been in that electrifying first-half.

Cleverley and Anderson were paired together at the heart of United's engine room. United's often criticized Brazilian worked hard, but faded badly after 50 minutes. It took Ferguson until the 80th minute before he sent on Giggs as replacement.

United held on to win and were just about good value, but Fulham  played a huge part in what was an entertaining contest - one that was dominated by the visitors for most of the second-half.

In Dembele, Fulham have a very talented player, one who would grace any top flight team, and no wonder reports have been linking him with moves to United and Real Madrid. In short Dembele could well be the midfield player that Ferguson is looking for. If the United manager wasn't convinced prior to Saturday, the Belgian star left him in no doubt about his abilities. Surely, if Ferguson doesn't make his move, he well live to regret it, much in the same way that he failed to make moves for Wesley Sneijder and David Silva.