Boss: We Are 3 Points Closer

Vintage United it was not, but Sir Alex Ferguson cared not a jot as his side moved three points closer to retaining the Premier League title with victory over Sunderland.

The Reds were only sporadically anywhere near top form at the Stadium of Light, but were able to grind out a vital victory through Kiko Macheda's late strike.

"In the first parts of the match we played very well," Sir Alex told MUTV. "We got in front, didn't push it home and lost our momentum in that period. We started well again in the second half, but credit to Sunderland they keep going, keep battling and you expect that with the position they're in.

"It's not easy here, as we all know. They certainly put us under a lot of pressure. For periods of the game we did play well, for periods we were a bit sloppy. But the pitch was difficult to play at times, but at the end of the day we've ground a good result out."

Not only does the result mean United go into next week's crucial Champions League trip to Porto on a high, it is also one more victory closer to seeing off the domestic challenges of Liverpool and Chelsea.

"It's a boost of course," said Sir Alex. "The important thing is that we've seven games left now. At this point it's about cutting each game off as they come along. Today was an important away victory for us, at a difficult place to come to against a very committed Sunderland team. I think we can be pleased at that."