Manchester United have beaten Sunderland 1-0 in the Premier League.

It was the home side who had the first effort of the match when James McClean struck from distance after two minutes, but David de Gea collected the danger.

Sunderland continued to remain a threat and De Gea was again tested by David Vaughan with seven minutes on the clock.

United's first real chance of the match came after nine minutes when Antonio Valencia searched out Wayne Rooney in the box, but Titus Bramble cleared the danger.

The away side began to probe for the opening as the half developed and Rooney just headed wide after 12 minutes.

Phil Jones also headed just wide for United after 18 minutes, but they took the lead after 20 minutes when Rooney headed a Jones cross into the net.

United continued to dominate as the half developed as Ryan Giggs tested Simon Mignolet with an effort just before the 30-minute mark.

Rooney smashed the crossbar with an effort moments later, before he somehow slipped the ball wide from close range.

Sunderland came close moments later via Frazier Campbell, but somehow he fired wide.

Rooney so nearly made it two moments into the second period after a Young pass, but Mignolet made a smart save to clear the danger.

United were boosted by the news early in the second period that Queens Park Rangers had equalised against Manchester City, but they almost conceded when Phil Bardsley struck from distance.

Young came close for United just before the hour mark, but Sunderland continued to resist the vast United pressure.

The home side began to threaten as the match drew to a close, but United were always a threat on the break and Paul Scholes rattled the post after 76 minutes before Mignolet denied Giggs.

Rooney might have made it two with an effort in the last minute, but he struck the post.

United remained comfortable in the final stages, however, to claim the victory.