Sir Alex Ferguson believes Fulham can make their mark on the Premiership next season but has stressed Manchester United's determination to embark on an FA Cup run.
United set up a fourth round home encounter with West Ham after squeezing past First Division leaders Fulham at Craven Cottage.
However, it took a strike two minutes from time by substitute Teddy Sheringham, on his return from a month out with a hamstring injury, for United to avoid a replay.
And while making clear that United, who withdrew from the FA Cup last year to compete in the World Club Championship, were taking the competition very seriously this time around, Ferguson paid tribute to Fulham's progress.
The west London club are seven points clear at the top of the First Division thanks to the efforts of coach Jean Tigana and 22-year-old striker Louis Saha, while Mohamed Al Fayed provides financial backing.
Ferguson declared: "They have got a structure in place here on the football side and are planning to build a new stadium.
"With the resources also to buy new players, they could do very well in the Premiership and they gave us a torrid time.
"Jean Tigana has done a fantastic job. He's got them expressing themselves. His beliefs are mirrored by his team and that's the sign of a good manager.
"Saha also did fantastic. I think he would be a handful in the Premiership. Gary Neville and Wes Brown had their hardest game of the season."
After United's first FA Cup tie for 18 months, Ferguson declared: "We're just happy to be in it and the players again showed their hunger.
"I'm not banking on us winning the FA Cup as the Premier League is our best chance, but if we have a good run and have some home ties then we will do our best to win the trophy."
After Ole Gunnar Solskjaer had struck a typical predator's goal, Fulham refused to panic and played their way out of trouble with an impressive blend of attacking vigour and movement.
When Roy Keane's indiscipline let him down and ensured a free-kick was moved forward 10 yards to the edge of the penalty area, Fabrice Fernandes curled the dead-ball kick past Raimond van der Gouw to equalise.
With Kit Symons missing an easy header, while Saha was a constant menace with his purposeful bursts, United were relieved not to fall behind.
As Fulham tired, so United grew in strength and the introduction of Sheringham on 75 minutes for Dwight Yorke proved vital as he struck his 16th goal of what Ferguson described as "an incredible season".
Fulham must now concentrate on turning their Premiership potential into promotion reality, with a home game against Norwich this weekend and then a trip to Watford.
Midfielder Lee Clark revealed their mixed feelings, but stressed the players' intention to make sure of promotion as a tribute to defender Chris Coleman, who broke his leg in a car crash last week.
Source Ananova