Manchester United underlined their Premiership recovery Sunday by securing their fifth win in a row with a hard-fought 3-2 victory against Londoners Fulham at Craven Cottage to give manager Sir Alex Ferguson an early birthday present as he turns 60 on Monday.

Two goals from Welsh international Ryan Giggs and another from Ruud van Nistelrooy gave United three precious points with French duo Sylvain Legwinski and Steve Marlet replying for the home side.

United stay in fifth position with 36 points from 20 matches but move to within three points of leaders Arsenal.

Ferguson was not overly pleased with his team's performance but happy to see United continue their impressive run of results.

"I think there were periods when we did well and there were periods when we were pretty scrappy," said the Scotsman.

"The pitch didn't help, it was a very difficult pitch, parts of it were very firm and that can make it difficult for you.

"I would have been disappointed if we had thrown that away, but at the end of the day it was a good away win."

Ferguson singled out Giggs for special praise who is enjoying a rich vein of form since returning from injury.

"He has good penetration and he can beat a man and hold the ball for us," Ferguson added.

Ferguson refused to expand on comments he has made suggesting he may be ready to rethink his decision to retire as manager at the end of the season.

But the Scot did pay tribute to Andy Cole, who signed for Blackburn Rovers on Saturday.

"It was proving difficult to keep Andy happy on the bench. He gave seven great years' service to the club. He's not the easiest substitute to have."

Just seconds after Fulham striker Louis Saha had rattled the crossbar, a goalkeeping error by home goalkeeper Edwin van der Saar gifted United an early lead.

The Dutchman attempted to boot the ball to safety but failed to connect properly, allowing Giggs to roll the ball into an unguarded net.

Fulham hit the woodwork again on 15 minutes when Barry Hayles blasted a shot against the bar from just eight yards out. United's French goalkeeper Fabien Barthez saved superbly from the follow-up by Steed Malbranque.

Barthez also saved well from a Malbranque free-kick, while Laurent Blanc twice went close for United with headers from corners.

United went further ahead in the final minute of the first half thanks to the wizardry of Giggs.

The Welshman took a pass from van Nistelrooy, raced down the left and delivered the perfect cross for the Dutchman to volley past van der Sar from close range.

That looked like it might be the killer goal but within seconds Fulham pulled a goal back.

Malbranque swung in a freekick and Legwinski stooped to head low past his compatriot Barthez with whom he won the French title at Monaco in 1997.

Giggs restored United's two-goal cushion within two minutes of the restart.

Van Nistelrooy headed on a long punt from Barthez towards Giggs

who appeared to be too wide to get a decent shot on target.

However, the tricky winger wrapped his foot around the ball and his unstoppable half-volley flashed into the net beyond van der Saar.

United looked comfortable after that and could have gone further ahead - van Nistelrooy scuffed a shot wide and David Beckham was just off target with a left-foot volley.

But the champions were forced to suffer an anxious finish after conceding a second goal a minute from time.

Marlet, hampered by injury since becoming Fulham's record signing, tapped home from close range after Rufus Brevett had skinned the United defence.

Fulham threw everybody forward in a desperate bid to snatch a point but United held on for a vital win.