Fulham manager Martin Jol says everyone inside Old Trafford expected his side to be awarded a late penalty.
The Cottagers were denied a spot kick when United's Michael Carrick tripped Danny Murphy in the 87th minute.
"I think everyone in the stadium expected a penalty to be honest," said Jol. "You have to be brave to give a penalty away at Manchester United.
"I thought it was a difficult decision. If he had given the penalty he would have had to send Michael Carrick off."
Jol added, of 27-year-old Michael Oliver's decision: "A few years ago, the ball was a metre over the line and they did not give it. Maybe the linesman was not quick enough that time.
"But tonight the referee was there in line. It needed a brave decision because it was either a dive and he should book someone or he has to give Carrick a red card.
"I don't want to see Carrick sent off but it needed a brave decision and I think it was a penalty kick."
Manchester United recorded a narrow 1-0 victory over Fulham to move back to the top of the Premier League, opening up a three point gap over rivals City thanks to Wayne Rooney's 29th goal of the season.
“Our form is good, it is a good position to be in but not a decisive position”Sir Alex Ferguson
United boss Sir Alex Ferguson admitted his side had been lucky not to concede a late penalty but were worthy winners. Ferguson also sounded a word of warning for his side, saying their three-point advantage was not decisive.
"For an hour we played very well and we made some decent opportunities but you have to give credit to Fulham," said Ferguson.
"They had more left than we did in the last 15 minutes. I think they had a claim [for a penalty], there's no doubt. We had a claim in the first half. Maybe the referee was thinking about that, but certainly Michael Carrick caught Danny Murphy's heel. But we deserved that bit of luck as we dominated the game."
Ferguson added: "Our form is good, it is a good position to be in but not a decisive position.
"They are all challenges from here on in. Teams will be battling and won't want to be lambs to the slaughter. When teams sit back like Fulham did tonight they are hard to break down and we nearly paid the penalty."