Robin van Persie and Wayne Rooney were among the goals as Manchester United went six points clear at the top of the table courtesy of a 3-1 win over Sunderland at Old Trafford this afternoon.

The home side broke the deadlock with 16 minutes played thanks to Van Persie. Winger Ashley Young sent over a cross from the left which only found Sunderland defender John O'Shea. However, he could only scuff his clearance straight to Van Persie, who beat Simon Mignolet from eight yards out.

United striker Robin Van Persie celebrates his opener against Sunderland on December 15, 2012 © PA Photos

The same player was then denied by Mignolet just three minutes later, before Tom Cleverley doubled United's advantage with 20 minutes gone. Michael Carrick was the creator, picking out Cleverley to the left of the area. Having got the ball under control, the England midfielder bent the ball beyond the reach of Mignolet and into the bottom corner of the net.

Sunderland's best chance of the half fell to James McClean in the 27th minute, but he found the side netting from a tight angle when he had three teammates waiting in the middle for a cross.

Tom Cleverley scores the second goal for Man Utd on December 15, 2012 © PA Photos

United began the second half brightly and Wayne Rooney spurned their first chance from close range.

The 27-year-old did manage to get his name among the scorers in the 59th minute though. Young and Van Persie exchanged passes before the latter drilled in a cross for Rooney, who rolled the ball into an unguarded net from just one yard out.

Tom Cleverley congratulates Wayne Rooney after his goal on December 15, 2012 © PA Photos

That third goal prompted Sunderland manager Martin O'Neill to introduce Fraizer Campbell into the action and the former United frontman made an almost immediate impact in the 72nd minute. Stephane Sessegnon sent over a cross for the striker, who nodded the ball into the net from close range.

Campbell's strike appeared to lift Sunderland's confidence and they created another chance with 82 minutes gone. Connor Wickham was the man gifted with the opportunity, but his low shot was saved by the feet of David de Gea.

That was the last real action as United held out for the win.