Man Utd 2-0 West Ham: Cristiano Ronaldo brace sinks Hammers

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Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice last night to keep Manchester United's Premier League title defence on track and cement his status as the No.1 player in the world.

Ronaldo received the FIFPro World Player of the Year award from United boss Sir Alex Ferguson on the Old Trafford pitch before kick-off and then showed why his fellow pros had voted him the best player on earth.

United fans have found it difficult to sing Ronaldo's praises with as much fervour as they did last season, when he struck 42 goals.

Understandably so, given his disloyalty after trying to force through a move to Real Madrid last summer. But last night, after his two first-half goals sank West Ham, the Stretford End's rendition of 'Viva Ronaldo' was sung with pride and real affection once more.

United may be eight points behind leaders Liverpool, but they have a game in hand and an unshakeable belief they will up there challenging once more come the end of the season.

Fergie made five changes, the most notable casualties being Wayne Rooney and Edwin van der Sar - handed a rest on his 38th birthday.

Rooney's demotion to the bench meant a first start for more than a month for Carlos Tevez. Before the game Fergie revealed how he had assured the diminutive Argentine he was still a key member of his squad, despite his recent omission.

United took the lead in the 14th minute when Nani squared the ball for his compatriot Ronaldo, who steered it into the net with an assured left-foot finish.

Ronaldo's subdued body language has been questioned by some since his return from injury, the inference that he is still smarting over United's refusal to let him move to Madrid. But his emphatic, clenched-fist goal celebration put paid to those claims.

Dimitar Berbatov produced the most sublime moment of the night on the half-hour with an outrageous piece of skill, leaving West Ham's James Collins befuddled with his deft touch and slick turn, before squaring for Ronaldo to make it 2-0. In that audacious moment of brilliance, Berbatov showed the wisdom of the decision to sign him for £30million on deadline day.

Fergie revealed Gianfranco Zola as his favourite foreign Premier League player outside of those he has had at United, but the little Italian could not inspire his West Ham side to a comeback as they slumped to a fourth straight Premier League defeat.

Worse was to come for Hammers when midfielder Valon Behrami was carried off on a stretcher moments before half-time with what appeared a serious knee injury.

United dominated the second-half against obliging opponents who seemed to accept their losing fate.

Rooney, complete with newly-shaven head, came on with 20 minutes left to a rapturous reception along with Michael Carrick, who had been out for six weeks.

Rooney forced a fine save from Robert Green from 30 yards and then almost scored with a cheeky chip.

Man Utd: Kuszczak 6, Rafael 7, Ferdinand 7, Vidic 7, Evra 6, Ronaldo 8, Fletcher 7 (Carrick 69, 6), Anderson 7, Nani 8 (Rooney 69, 6), Berbatov 8, Tevez 7.

West Ham: Green 5, Behrami 5, Upson 5, Collins 5, Ilunga 5, Mullins 5, Di Michele 5, Bowyer 5 (Sears 69, 4), Behrami 5 (Boa Morte 45, 4), Etherington 4 (Collison 46, 5), Bellamy 4

Referee: Peter Walton.

Attendence: 75,397

Man of the match: Dimitar Berbatov (Man Utd)

Villain of the match: James Collins (West Ham)

Next three games
Man United: Saturday: Hull (h) Prem Wed, Nov 5: Celtic (a) Champs Lg, Sat, Nov 8: Arsenal (a) Prem
West Ham: Saturday: Chelsea (a) Prem Sat, Nov 8: Everton (h) Prem Sat, Nov 15: Portsmouth (h) Prem