Manchester United sink Sunderland 3-1 to reclaim six-point lead
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Manchester United's Tom Cleverley, center in red, scores past Sunderland goalkeeper Simon Mignolet during the English Premier League soccer match at Old Trafford, Manchester, England, Saturday Dec 15, 2012. Manchester United won the match 3-1. -- PHOTO: AP
MANCHESTER, United Kingdom (AFP) - Robin van Persie, Tom Cleverley and Wayne Rooney all scored as Manchester United beat Sunderland 3-1 on Saturday to re-assert their six-point lead in the Premier League.
The home team coasted into a two-goal advantage with less than 20 minutes gone thanks to goals from van Persie and Cleverley.
Rooney made it three just before the hour to bring up nine goals in four Premier League matches from his partnership with van Persie, as the hosts re-established their six-point cushion over Manchester City.
United were also boosted by the return of captain Nemanja Vidic as a substitute after three months out with a knee injury.
