Sir Alex Ferguson: 'Fulham had a penalty claim'

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has admitted that Fulham had a claim for a penalty during their encounter on Monday.

United secured all three points with a Wayne Rooney strike, but referee Michael Oliver turned down a strong penalty shout late on when Fulham midfielder Danny Murphy was seemingly felled in the box by United midfielder Michael Carrick.

"I think they had a claim. We had a claim for a penalty in the first half when there was a clear handball. Maybe the ref was thinking about that. Michael Carrick has caught Danny Murphy's heel," Ferguson told reporters.

The result moved United three points clear at the top of the Premier League table.