Image source, Getty Images

Well, parting, as they say, is such sweet sorrow - but if we must, what a way to do so.

Alejandro Garnacho's stoppage-time winner for Manchester United at Fulham capped another fine day of Premier League football after Unai Emery-led Aston Villa's hard-fought win at Brighton.

It will be 43 days until our next Premier League live text - when tummies will still be recovering from Christmas Day indulgences.

Of course, there's the small matter of a World Cup between now and then - so please stay tuned to BBC Sport for live TV, radio and online coverage of Qatar 2022.

What a rollercoaster match that was.

Click here to read Michael Emons' match report from Craven Cottage.

Manchester United

Manchester United midfielder Christian Eriksen to BBC Sport: "It was a hard-fought game but to score in the last minute is a good feeling.

"We probably should have scored a lot more goals before we did, rather than leave it so late. It is the mentality though, to keep going."

On his first Man Utd goal: "It's been a long wait. I think I owed a few before so I'm happy to be on the scoresheet. I should have have two, though!"

On the late winner: "The game at the end was opening up at both ends. People were getting tired and when you lost the ball, there was a lot of space to run in to. We didn't have much in the last minutes but we had enough."

On Alejandro Garnacho: "We have seen in training that he is a big, big talent. He is starting to learn the movement of the game - when to dribble, when to pass but he's a big talent."

On the season so far: "We've had some losses this season when we didn't think we were going to lose but we've had good recoveries from that, too. But I think we can be satisfied so far. We'll see what the manager thinks."

Fulham

More from Fulham boss Marco Silva to Sky Sports:

On Man Utd’s winner: “We have to do much better in that moment. We were not in danger in that moment, we had the ball and believed we could score but we have enough balance that we can control that situation.

“We lost focus in that moment and they scored. We have to control that moment. We lost focus, we know how to control that moment.”

On the season so far: “We have been doing really well. In the last three games, it has been difficult for us because we feel we deserved more from the matches – Everton and United here, and Manchester City away.

“You have to keep improving. We’re happy with how we’ve done but we have to improve. I hope we can have all the players ready when we start again on Boxing Day.

“The impact Daniel James had, if I had more options of that quality on the bench, the game would be different. We want more and I think we deserved more. Hopefully the players who were missing will be ready.”

Fulham

Fulham manager Marco Silva, speaking to Sky Sports: “It's the second game in a row [conceding in the last minute]. We didn’t deserve that result. First half we were trying to control the game, we were more on the front foot but we know the players and the quality they have.

“When you lose the ball and you don’t react in the right way then they can punish you with Martial, Rashford and Elanga.

“In the second half we knew it would be hard to control the game always but that was our plan, to play our way. We reacted really well after their goal and our second half was really good.

“We created chances from the first minute of the second half and scored a good goal, a good offensive transition.

“But then the second goal, we cannot concede goals like that. We worked so hard to try and get a result. We have to be proud of the team and how they played but it is hard to take.”

Christian Eriksen became the fourth Danish player to score a competitive goal for the Red Devils after Peter Schmeichel, Jesper Olsen, and John Sivebaek.

Good company to be in.

Manchester United

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag, speaking to Sky Sports: "In the last week we had some good choices with subs coming in and having a big impact. It's a massive win, it's really important and I'm very happy with it."

On Alejandro Garnacho: "It's a big skill (confidence/arrogance) that he has. But it's always finding the balance. He can perform under stress and he came in and performed well like he did on Thursday."

On letting Fulham back into the game: "Straight after half-time we had a big chance to finish the game. Maybe 3-1 would be a normal score at half-time based on chances. But we didn't score and then Fulham came into the game, they had energy and were dynamic. If we want to be really good, that cannot happen.

"When you are 1-0 up and you're away from home, it cannot be possible that the whole right wing is open."

On the season so far: "I think we have a base. We're going in the right direction, the culture has changed. The attitude has changed and that's good. We have also improved. We have got a better mentality and you saw that today with the winner in the last minute.

"We are now united, we have togetherness. The dressing room, the staff, the directors, the whole club and the fans. I'm really happy with that development."

Fulham

Fulham boss Marco Silva speaking to BBC Sport: "It's really tough. A cruel game for us. Unfortunately the second in a row against two Manchester sides, even if the last game was slightly different. The way we played, the way we performed, we deserved more form the game.

"We have to learn from the moments because we can never lose the focus against these types of sides. We lost it in some moments, they can punish you. United came here and they play almost all the moments in counter-attack trying to explore.

"It's tough to take because I think we did OK first half and the second half was really good for ourselves. We were probably the team closer to doing something more and then came the late goal which punished us.

"This is the Premier League and if you lose focus then in one second they can punish you. This is the reality and you have to learn."

Manchester United have won more away Premier League games in London than any other side visiting a team in the capital in the competition’s history (77).

Manchester United

More from United boss Erik ten Hag to BBC Sport:

On Alejandro Garnacho scoring: "That is fantastic. First he shows the mentality you need. Under stress he's performing, he's coming in, he has an impact, he has the belief. Twice in three, four days, so that is really good. I'm really happy that we can bring a young player up and it shows that when players deserve it they get their chances. That is the first one but we have to bring more.

"He's great. I like that he has a big belief and that's great to work with. He likes football. He's a real pleasure."

On if he would have been happy coming into the break in this place in the table at the start of the season: "I think so, yep. Especially with the problems we have faced. One big problem is the front line. We didn't have many players available in that first part of the season. We have to improve that and if that comes then we can be more consistent."

Manchester United

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag on how the win feels, speaking to BBC Sport:

"I think in the first half we played quite well and I think we had to score more goals. The difference between us and Fulham had to be bigger after the first half.

"We were only 1-0 up and then a great chance after half-time. And then you see that two halves are never the same and the game changes. Fulham get better and better and more dominant, create chances and get the equaliser.

"The last 10 minutes were then ours. I'm really happy with the resilience we have. Also the composure you can bring in the game then.

"The winning has to do with the belief that you can always score. I'm really happy that a sub came in once again - it's not only 11 players, you need a squad to win trophies and that is what we want."

Let's get some more reaction from an understandably buoyant Manchester United camp...

Remember that stat earlier about Dan James becoming the 10th different ex-Manchester United player to score against them in the Premier League?

We've got the other nine for you thanks to our friends at Opta.

Danny Welbeck, Dion Dublin, Fraizer Campbell, Henning Berg, Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Keith Gillespie, Mark Hughes, Paul Ince and Wilfried Zaha.

Matt: I hope Garnacho doesn't become another Federico Macheda.

Anon: Please Mr Garnacho, don't turn out to be another Macheda.

A bit harsh on Federico, although it's fair to state his career hasn't panned out quite as some United fans had hoped.

That was a huge win for Manchester United as it keeps them on the tails of the top four heading into the six-week break for the World Cup.

They move three points behind fourth-placed Tottenham, although their goal difference is significantly inferior to all of the teams above them.

Fulham stay ninth so can still be pleased with their season's work thus far - even if that late Alejandro Garnacho strike will be a bitter pill to swallow ahead of the lengthy upcoming domestic break.

Image source, BBC Sport

Fulham

Fulham midfielder João Palhinha, speaking to Sky Sports: "No words can explain what me and my team-mates feel in this moment. We are really disappointed with the result because I think we deserved to win this game. We did our best and we didn't deserve this result. But we need to keep strong.

"When you play a team like United, you know you need to be concentrated for the whole 90 minutes. It's the little details, you know? In the last minute, like against City. It's really disappointing.

"We will keep fighting and give our best for the rest of the season.

"Football is like this, sometimes the best team doesn't win."

At 18 years and 135 days, Alejandro Garnacho became the youngest player to score a 90th-minute winner in the Premier League for more than 13 years.

The other one? A United player too. You may recall Federico Macheda netting a last-gasp winner against Aston Villa, in April 2009. He was 17 years and 226 days old.

Image source, Getty Images

Manchester United

Manchester United midfielder Bruno Fernandes, speaking to Sky Sports: "Of course it's strange [the World Cup starting next week]. It's not exactly the time we want to be playing in the World Cup. I think for everyone, players and fans, it's not the best time. Kids will be at school, people will be working and the timings will not be the best for people to watch the games.

"We know the surroundings of the World Cup, what has been in the past few weeks, past few months, about the people that have died on the construction of the stadiums. We are not happy about that at all.

"We want football to be for everyone, everyone has to be included and involved in a World Cup because a World Cup is the world. It's for everyone, it doesn't matter who. These kind of things I think should not happen at any time. But for a World Cup it's more than football, it's a party for fans, players, something that's a joy to watch, should be done in a better way."

Manchester United

Manchester United midfielder Bruno Fernandes on Alejandro Garnacho, speaking to Sky Sports: "He has a lot of talent and his workrate together with the talent makes a big difference with us from the bench. It's not the first time he makes a big impact for us. We are really happy for him and know he can give us goals, assists and prove the joy of football.

"I think everyone is seeing signs that [he can go all the way]. Not because of his goals and assists but the way he comes into the game. Nobody likes to be on the bench so the attitude he has when he comes off has been fantastic. He deserves the chances he's been having and he's got his rewards. That's what football's about."

On if the win matters more with the break for the World Cup: "No. It counts the same. It's three points anyway. It's important for us because we lost the last game in the league so it's important to get back on track. We did it, it was really hard. Fulham were amazing so it was tough to play against them but we are very happy about the three points."

Michael Emons
BBC Sport at Craven Cottage

Delight for Manchester United and heartbreak for Fulham. Alejandro Garnacho, the hugely talented 18-year-old who can still represent either Spain or Argentina, is the match-winner, keeping his cool to drill an angled shot past Bernd Leno with practically the last kick of the match.

A number of Fulham fans behind me said United didn't deserve the win, and only some fine saves from David de Gea stopped Fulham from taking the lead.

But it is United who take the three points in a thrilling end to not only the match, but also the first half of a crazy Premier League season.

The United fans are still here, singing away and they'll be travelling north happy while Marco Silva and the rest of the Fulham contingent will have a long, long time to reflect on this defeat.

That's the Premier League done until 26 December and now comes the World Cup.