Manchester United retained their position on top of the Barclays Premier League after goals from Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo ended Reading's plucky resistance.

United did not have it all their own way and for a long time it appeared they would be denied by a combination of poor finishing, excellent goalkeeping and brave Reading defending. But Rooney finally found the breakthrough with a deft finish and Ronaldo rounded off the win in the last minute.