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Manchester United sent out a message to their Premier League title rivals with a comfortable 4-0 victory over West Bromwich Albion at Old Trafford.

Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool had all recorded victories earlier in the day but victory in Manchester saw the champions move into the top four for the first time this season.

Wayne Rooney was the catalyst for United's win, the England man continuing his fine recent form by scoring the first and creating two further goals for Cristiano Ronaldo and substitute Nani.

Dimitar Berbatov also found the back of the net to round off a satisfying evening's work for Alex Ferguson's side, who will now head into their Champions League clash with Celtic full of confidence.

Given his blistering recent form - seven goals in his last five games for club and country heading into this game - it was hardly surprising to see Rooney involved in United's best moments.

The England man wasted no time in imposing himself on the match and was twice denied in the space of two minutes midway through the opening period - first by the referee's whistle and then by a good stop from Scott Carson

Mark Halsey incurred the wrath of both Rooney and the vast majority of those inside Old Trafford with his decision to penalise the striker for a foul on Gianni Zuiverloon as he ran onto Ronaldo's through pass.

Replays suggested the official got it wrong - a shame considering the quality of the finish, which Rooney took with his now customary aplomb.

Moments later it was Carson who frustrated Rooney, the Albion keeper getting down well to stop a near post header after Ronaldo had again been the architect, this time from a free-kick.

The pair linked up again soon after, this time Rooney creating the chance, but Ronaldo was forced a little too wide and his shot was well blocked.

As the first half drew to a conclusion, United had a penalty shout turned down by Halsey when the ball accidentally struck Paul Robinson on the arm in the box. But a spot kick would have been harsh on the Baggies' left-back and this time the official got it right.

The second half started slowly, but soon United perceptibly upped the tempo of the game; the effect was to bring the crowd into the match, and in turn United responded to better the atmosphere.

Carson was forced into making saves from Rooney and then Berbatov before the breakthrough was eventually made on 56 minutes, Rooney cutting inside the otherwise excellent Ryan Donk before firing low past Carson.

The hosts' lead was doubled 13 minutes later as Rooney turned provider for the first time of the evening. Once he had played in Ronaldo on goal, there was only going to be one outcome and the Portuguese winger finished well under Carson's body.

Berbatov sealed all three points just two minutes later, the Bulgarian sticking out a leg to divert Nani's cross into the back of the net. It was far from the £32.4 million man's most spectacular goal, and his muted celebrations - reminiscent of his first in a United shirt against Aalborg - said as much.

West Brom rarely made it out of their own half and Edwin van der Sar in the United goal had little to do all evening long until he was finally tested by substitute - and former Manchester City player - Ishmael Miller as time ran out.

The burly striker - who had moments earlier seen a well-struck shot fly inches wide of the mark - bore down on goal in the final minute, his shot forcing the Dutchman to turn round the corner - the visitors' first of the match.

But the final say went to United, as Nani slid in at the far post to meet Rooney's slide-rule pass and send out a clear message to the other members of the 'big four' - after a slow start, United are back in the hunt.

Mike Hytner / Eurosport