Manchester United have moved a step closer to winning the Premier League title with a 1-0 victory at Sunderland.

The Red Devils were in control of the match right from the start and could have surged ahead after just four minutes had striker Robin van Persie's header on goal been more powerful to trouble Black Cats goalkeeper Simon Mignolet.

Mignolet was forced into making another save eight minutes later, rushing off his line to keep out an effort from Alexander Buttner.

United eventually broke the deadlock on 27 minutes when Van Persie cut in from the left and whipped the ball across the Sunderland goal and Titus Bramble inadvertently put it into his own net.

Van Persie himself could have doubled Sir Alex Ferguson's side's lead before the half-time interval had Mignolet not kept out his powerful free kick from 20 yards.

United continued to control proceedings and possession in the second half but failed to create any clear-cut chance until the 81st minute.

Buttner was once again in the thick of the action and this time he tested Buttner with a rising right-footed effort from the edge of the area.