Manchester United strengthened their grip at the top of the Barclays Premier League with a 3-0 defeat of bitter local rivals Liverpool.

Wes Brown put the Reds ahead after 34 minutes before Javier Mascherano was controversially sent off for a second bookable offence just before half time.

The Argentinian, already in the book for a lunge on Paul Scholes, was dismissed for dissent and had to be calmed by a number of players and his manager Rafa Benitez before finally leaving the pitch.

Liverpool kept battling but Cristiano Ronaldo scored his 34th goal of the season after 79 minutes before Nani finished smartly two minutes later.