A fine performance from Manchester United saw the reigning Premier League champions comfortably dispose out of form Everton 3-0 at Old Trafford.

Goals from Darren Fletcher, Michael Carrick and Antonio Valencia ensured that United stayed five points behind Chelsea after the league leaders thrashed Wolves 4-0 on the same day.

The match began with United searching for a way through the Everton defence. David Moyes’ team were going through an injury crisis and set up to frustrate the home side. It took a while but United eventually took the lead in the 35th minute with a sensational goal from Darren Fletcher. A bouncing ball on the edge of the box was expertly volleyed into the top corner by the Scottish midfielder to open the scoring for Sir Alex Ferguson’s team.

At half time, Everton brought on Yakubu to partner Louis Saha and the duo evidentally posed United more problems. Tim Cahill was sent through on goal but the alert Van Der Sar thwarted his close range effort.

Nevertheless, United ended their hopes in the 67th minue as a Ryan Giggs cross found Michael Carrick who sidefooted home from inside the penalty area. Valencia added a third not long after with a deflected effort that deceived Tim Howard ensuring that the game ended a comfortable 3-0 in United’s favour.

A couple of days later, a near fully changed United team hosted already eliminated Besiktas in the Champions League. With Ferguson’s men having qualified for the knock out stages, it was a good opportunity to give some of the younger stars and bench warmers a run out.

Nevertheless, a first half Rodrigo Tello deflected goal against the run of play condemned United to a 1-0 defeat ending their 23 game home european unbeaten run.

The goal was harsh on United who dominated the match but the young players such as Federico Macheda, Darren Gibson, Danny Welbeck and Gabriel Obertan lacked the cutting edge in the crucial areas.

The home side nearly equalised in injury time but Wes Brown’s header from a corner was superbly tipped away by veteran Turkish goalkeeper Rustu to leave already qualified United not yet certain of top spot in the group.