Manchester United returned to Premier League winning ways with a 1-0 win over Fulham in West London on Sunday evening.
A strike in the 78th minute from Lisandro Martinez gave Ruben Amorim's side all three points with the Reds moving a place up in the table to 12th.
It could've been 2-0 as Amad Diallo had a goal disallowed out towards the end of the game for a very tight offside which was ruled out by VAR.
So far in 2025, the Red Devils have only lost one game but there is still plenty of things to work on as seen in yesterday's victory.
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A win is a win
Looking at United's form during the entire league campaign, the most important thing in this game is three points.
Realistically, as much as it shouldn't be the case, the fan base should be expecting an inconsistent time in the Premier League until the end of the season and at the moment a good finish for United would be in the top half which is still not good enough but it's the truth.
It wasn't a performance which will be remembered in years to come but sometimes the phrase "a win is a win" has to be used and the club need all the points they can get at this stage.
Martinez's deflected effort was enough to win the game for the Reds despite Fulham challenging late on.
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A poor forward line for United
Despite the win, it was yet another poor outing for the forwards of Manchester United.
Rasmus Hojlund began the game up front and was replaced by Joshua Zirkzee. Neither player found the net and it is hard to recall any chances they did have.
The last time a striker scored for United was Zirkzee, away at Tottenham Hotspur in the Carabao Cup. No forward has scored since then as Bruno Fernandes and Amad being amongst the goals.
Even other attacking players such as Alejandro Garnacho had a quiet game. Could that be the potential move what is affecting him?
Can Manchester United last until the summer without a consistent number nine as the end of the transfer window is approaching?
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A solid defensive effort
It was United's first clean sheet of 2025 and the defenders in front of Onana certainly played their part.
Lisandro Martinez has impressed in recent games with two goals already this month but at the back he has been solid too.
In the past year, another player who has been in better form is Harry Maguire.
He may have been at fault for Rangers' equaliser in the Europa League on Thursday night but despite that, he had a solid outing on Sunday night.
Maguire has made a lot of progress since not being captain and himself, De Lig and Martinez in a back line could be United's best back three and then there is still Leny Yoro who is starting to settle into Premier League life after a lengthy injury at the start of the season.
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A hard to predict February
After one last Europa League away game against FC FCSB on Thursday night, that's one month completed in 2025.
In February, United play four games in the Premier League. Home games against Crystal Palace and Ipswich Town plus trips to Tottenham Hotspur and Everton sandwiched inbetween.
United's record at home this season hasn't been great even if Crystal Palace and Ipswich are teams they should be beating.
When looking at the away trips, Spurs aren't exactly great at the moment either. David Moyses is back at Everton too and not doing bad either. He will be looking to get one over his former club in Manchester United.
You never know what United team is going to turn up. The game against Fulham wasn't a great performance but they came away with three points. The Reds deserved a win at Anfield earlier in the month but only came away with a point. Only time will tell!
