French midfielder Paul Pogba described as “beautiful” his winning goal at Fulham that sent Manchester United back to the top of the Premier League on Wednesday.

United’s record signing, finally beginning to produce consistently the marauding displays that can make him unstoppable, thundered a left-foot shot past Fulham keeper Alphonse Areola in the 65th minute to earn United a 2-1 win.

It was the second week running that Pogba had scored the winner, having also volleyed a decider at Burnley that sent United top for the first time this season.

Wednesday’s strike was even better and put United back above Leicester City and Manchester City with 40 points from 19 games.

“Was a beautiful one,” he said of his third league goal of the season. “When you go with your instinct you don’t think and sometimes it goes well and that is what happened today (Wednesday).

“It is my left foot so I tried to look and go for it, not think too much. I saw the goalkeeper and tried to hit it there and it went very well.”

While all headlines will be for the 27-year-old Pogba, there were several impressive performers for United who recovered from falling behind after five minutes to Ademola Lookman’s goal.

Edinson Cavani’s equaliser was his fourth for the club, all away from home, while Bruno Fernandes was again the catalyst for much of United’s best attacks.

“It is not only about me,” Pogba said.

Manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, whose side have emulated Alex Ferguson’s treble winners by going 17 away league games undefeated, is happy to be talking about Pogba’s contribution on the pitch, rather than fielding questions about reports that the Frenchman wants to leave Old Trafford.

“I am very happy with his performances,” said Solskjaer.