United barely broke sweat at the Stadium of Light as goals from Wayne Rooney, Cristiano Ronaldo and a Louis Saha brace sealed an important three points and a fifth away win of the season.

For a Boxing Day encounter, Sunderland showed surprisingly little fight and Roy Keane wouldn't have taken many positives out of such a one-sided affair. The Reds were 3-0 up by half-time and coasted through the second period, adding a fourth in the closing stages when Louis Saha slotted home from the penalty spot.

Sir Alex made five changes to the side that beat Everton on the weekend, with Darren Fletcher handed his first league start of the season and Louis Saha starting up front alongside Wayne Rooney. Perhaps the manager's most notable selection was the inclusion of Ji-sung Park on the bench. Park, who came on in the 57th minute, hadn't played for the Reds since injuring his knee against Blackburn Rovers in March.

At the back, Sir Alex recalled Rio Ferdinand to the starting XI but rested Patrice Evra on the left. John O'Shea came in for the Frenchman, with Wes Brown operating on the right.

Neither side's back four was troubled in the game's opening stages until Danny Higginbotham caught Cristiano Ronaldo late 25 yards from goal in a central position. The Reds' no.7 lined up the free-kick and stung Craig Gordon's palms with a vicious strike that dipped and swerved in the air. The Scottish goalkeeper was called into action again moments later when Nani's left-foot shot looked to be sneaking inside the near post.

Sunderland then fashioned