A hat-trick from Wayne Rooney and a Cristiano Ronaldo strike gave United an impressive victory at high-flying Bolton Wanderers and sent Sir Alex Ferguson's side back to the top of the Premiership.

Champions Chelsea had topped the table after their earlier win over Sheffield United, but the Reds leapfrogged Jose Mourinho's side by virtue of their superior goal difference.

Rooney struck his first Premiership treble to end a run of 10 games without a goal and Ronaldo tapped in from Louis Saha's pull-back as United romped to victory at the Reebok Stadium.

Predictably, a completely different XI started at the Reebok to that which struggled to a Carling Cup victory over Crewe on Wednesday night. With the big guns back in place, Cristiano Ronaldo's inclusion at the expense of Darren Fletcher was the only change from the side which brushed aside Liverpool last weekend.

And United carried on where they left off against their local rivals, absolutely flying out of the traps against Sam Allardyce's side. Bolton were taken aback by a performance which immediately bristled with intent. Both Ryan Giggs and Rooney were within inches of converting Ronaldo's cross before Patrice Evra saw his shot well saved by Jussi Jaaskelainen.

Rooney and Giggs both threatened again, then Louis Saha saw his impudent chip headed off the line by Abdoulaye Meite as United continued to dominate.