Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson was delighted with the win over Liverpool on an important weekend. Ferguson felt the decision to send off Javier Mascherano had cost Liverpool but his side were deserved winners.

"I know they had 10 men in the second half, but we played some very good football throughout, particularly in the first period with our attention, to pass and move," he said.

"We could have been three up in the first half, with a couple of one-v-ones, and then we were deservedly in front. Then came the sending-off."

Wes Brown scored his first goal for three years to set United on the road to their emphatic victory. Cristiano Ronaldo and Nani completed the scoring late in the second period.