Ronaldo at the double for United

Ronaldo took his tally for the campaign to five, first profiting from Nani's precise cross before tapping home from two yards, an effort that owed everything to the genius of Dimitar Berbatov.

Manchester United could have had more, with Carlos Tevez and Wayne Rooney both going close.

But after Saturday's slip-up at Everton, the three points were all Sir Alex Ferguson wanted as his side look to keep current pacesetters Liverpool in view.

In leaving out Rooney, Ferguson was omitting a man, one visit to Everton apart, at the top of his game.

The need to give Tevez a chance after sitting on the sidelines for virtually a month, was obvious. Some fans, though, questioned why Rooney was the man sacrificed. Others wonder why Berbatov was bought at all given last year's strikeforce proved to be a devastating combination at home and abroad.

The opening goal came when the Ronaldo crashed home from eight yards after one of the impressive Nani's pinpoint crosses had rolled into his path.

But Berbatov showed his true class with a stunning contribution after half an hour.

Hammers defender James Collins must have thought he was in control as he shadowed Berbatov to the by-line as the pair chased Anderson's pass.

But the young Wales international was in for a shock. With a pirouette any ballet dancer would have been proud of, Berbatov turned, rolled the ball beyond Collins and was gone, hugging the white line before presenting Ronaldo with a tap-in.