Sir Alex Ferguson's prediction that an end to Manchester United's goal drought was imminent proved accurate as the Premier League champions overpowered Wigan Athletic to move to the top of the table for the first time this season.
Two goals from Cristiano Ronaldo and one each from Carlos Tevez and Wayne Rooney clinched a 4-0 win at Old Trafford and lifted the Red Devils one point ahead of Arsenal at the top, although their rivals have two games in hand and can reclaim top spot if they beat Sunderland at the Emirates Stadium today.
It was United's biggest win in the league since February and follows a run of hard-fought 1-0 wins.
United dominated the match but did not make a breakthrough until the 54th minute when Tevez opened the scoring with a superbly taken effort.
He held off a strong challenge before making space for himself and firing low past Chris Kirkland in the Wigan goal.
Ronaldo added the second five minutes later with a header after Kirkland had parried.
The Portuguese star made it 3-0 after 76 minutes when Rooney's perfectly-placed low cross allowed him to score from the simplest of chances.
Rooney scored his first league goal of the season with a header to complete the rout eight minutes from time.
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