Red Devils restore five-point cushion !
A Wayne Rooney brace helped Manchester United restore their five-point advantage at the top of the Premier League, the leaders strolling to a 4-0 victory over Aston Villa at Old Trafford.
Wayne Rooney slots home his penalty.
City's win at Norwich on Saturday had cut United's lead over their neighbours to two points, with Roberto Mancini's side extending their goal difference to 58 - eight better off than the champions.
The pressure was back on United, though an early Rooney penalty calmed any persisting nerves. Ashley Young twisted and turned his way into Villa's penalty area and, having made contact with Ciaran Clark, the winger went to ground. It was a theatrical reaction from the England midfielder but referee Mark Halsey pointed to the spot and Rooney stepped up to send Shay Given the wrong way.
Danny Welbeck extended the home side's lead just before half-time, the striker profiting from slack defending to poke home Patrice Evra's low cross. The in-form Antonio Valencia set up Rooney for his second and United's third, passing square across the box for Rooney to rifle in via a slight deflection off James Collins in the 73rd minute.
With Villa tiring and victory all but sealed, United broke once more and Nani squeezed a shot past Given at his near post to take United five points clear with four matches to go. Villa remain in trouble, six points clear of third-bottom Bolton, who also have a game in hand.
Much of the focus, though, was on Ashley Young, who was branded "a disgrace" by fellow Premier League player Ryan Taylor after winning his latest controversial penalty. Seven days ago, the former Aston Villa man was at the centre of a diving row when he went down under minimal contact from Shaun Derry.
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