Erik ten Hag - 'Man Utd's reaction from past games clear today'
It started with Manchester United's travelling fans unfurling a banner demanding more heart and effort from their team after a poor run of form.
"Play like you mean it", the banner read at Craven Cottage. At full-time, their angry mood was very different.
United were heading for an underwhelming draw when captain Bruno Fernandes struck in stoppage-time to earn United a 1-0 win - and three much-needed points.
When referee John Brooks - who had earlier ruled out Scott McTominay's goal for offside after watching it on the pitchside monitor - blew for full-time, United's fans celebrated out of relief more than anything else.
"This could be a catalyst for change," said former England player Joe Cole, a three-time Premier League winner with Chelsea, on TNT Sports.
Questions will remain about where United are heading under Ten Hag.
But could United be heading for better times?
Manchester United's players celebrate in front of their fans at full time at Craven Cottage
Ten Hag praises team spirit
United's problems will not vanish with one win.
They have not beaten a team in the Premier League's top 10 away from home since last November.
Ten Hag's side have been accused of having no identity or motivation and the manager has struggled to get the most out of his players.
Successive 3-0 home defeats in United's worst start to a season since 1962 had piled on the misery, but Ten Hag was much more optimistic after his side's win at Fulham.
"I am pleased with the spirit of the team and with the way we pressed," said the Dutchman.
"We saw this [a stoppage-time winner] against Brentford and we have seen it again. It is a good resilience. They know what the standards are.
"This is Manchester United - you have to win every game.
"This week we have not been happy with the standards and today we improved with our standards. Every game we have to bring the battle which starts with the right mentality and attitude, to show you are hungry with passion and desire."
'Fight like dogs'
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McTominay said United's players had seen the banner in the crowd as they warmed up before the game.
"The fans pay good money to come and see us, the support is relentless every single week and we just want to repay them as best we can," the Scotland defender told TNT Sports.
"It shouldn't just be this game, we can't get carried away, but when things are going against you, sometimes you have to come together and fight like dogs.
"It's a building block and I think we did more than enough to win the game in the end.
"It's step by step, with the manager and the coaching staff, we trust them a lot, we trust the players and I feel like we can go on, kick on and do better.
"You have to pick each other up when things aren't going well. You need confidence, some need to feel like they're loved, others need a rocket sometimes.
"Everyone reacts different and with the captain and the other senior players, I feel like we've got people who know the dressing room well and can bring everyone together to do better."
Man Utd rediscover 'backbone'
England defender Conor Coady, speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live: "Instead of criticising other defenders in my opinion you have to give credit to Fernandes.
"The composure to control the ball on the edge of the box, chop inside to make the space and pass the ball into the bottom corner is excellent. That is an absolutely massive goal for him, for the fans and for the manager."
Former England midfielder Jermaine Jenas, speaking to TNT Sports: "Bruno has stepped forward for his manager with the biggest of quality. He has come under a lot of scrutiny for his captaincy but that is a big, big moment.
"Manchester United found a way to get the job done."
Former England player Joe Cole, speaking to TNT Sports: "Erik ten Hag will pick players he can trust and he can trust Fernandes. There was a backbone to that performance. This could be a catalyst for change."
Former Aston Villa boss Dean Smith, speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live: "For a long time it didn't look like anything was going to happen, but a bit of quality from Fernandes made the difference in the end.
"You can see how much it means to the players, the staff the fans. It will give the dressing room a real boost."
