Manchester United took a big step towards clinching their third straight Premier League title as they secured a comfortable 2-0 win over Middlesbrough on Saturday.

United rested Edwin Van der Sar, Cristiano Ronaldo and Anderson with one eye on the Champions League clash against Arsenal in the midweek but in spite of a weakened line up, Middlesbrough rarely troubled the United defense who comfortably saw off the initial burst of long balls from the Boro midfield.

After a quiet opening to the game, United finally took the lead in the 25th minute when Nemanja Vidic and Wayne Rooney linked up well in the final third of the pitch and the Serbian defender teed up the ball for Ryan Giggs to slot home from the edge of the area to break the deadlock.

Boro tried to force the issue in search of an equalizer but were struggling for any creativity in the midfield as United were rarely troubled at the back. The defending champions finally put the result beyond doubt six minutes into the second half when some quick exchange of passes found Rooney free on the left flank and the English international curled in a superb ball for Ji Sung Park to slot home from close range to register an unassailable lead over the hapless Middlesbrough side who now have just three games to save themselves from relegation.