Premier League leaders Manchester United put the pressure on Chelsea and Arsenal after beating 10-man Liverpool 3-0 at Old Trafford.A first-half goal from Wes Brown and second-half strikes from Cristiano Ronaldo and Nani condemned their deadly-rivals to a comprehensive defeat but the visitors' task was made much more difficult after Javier Mascherano was dismissed by referee Steve Bennett on the stroke of half-time.

United had much the better of possession in the first half and Wayne Rooney was presented with a great opportunity to give the home side an early lead when Jamie Carragher misjudged Anderson's pass in the sixth minute. Rooney might have gone down under Carragher's challenge but stayed on his feet only to shoot straight at Pepe Reina.

Rooney was nearly in again minutes later but the England striker could not control a quick free-kick from Paul Scholes, who seconds later was on the end of a late lunge from Mascherano, which earned the Argentinian his first caution.

Fabio Aurielo blasted wide from a tight angle in Liverpool's first real attack and Gerrard had an effort from outside the box deflected over his own bar by Nemanja Vidic.

Reina escaped when he fumbled Ryan Giggs' cross but only a minute later, his mistake led to United taking the lead.

Rooney's cross from the left in the 34th minute was met by Brown, who in beating Reina to the delivery, bundled the ball over the line for only the second league goal of his career.

Mascherano's moment of madness came in the 44th minute. Fernando Torres was awarded a free-kick but spoke out of turn to referee Bennett and received a caution. Mascherano, incensed by the booking, ran 20 yards to berate the official, only to receive a yellow card of his own, and his marching orders.

It took the efforts of several team-mates and manager Rafael Benitez to restrain the furious midfielder before he was eventually escorted, reluctantly, down the tunnel.

Ronaldo and Rooney should have increased United's lead but both blasted straight at Reina within ten minutes of the restart as United's recent profligacy in front of goal continued.

Liverpool turned up the heat midway the first half in pursuit of an unlikely equaliser but left gaps at the back which United looked to exploit. Anderson was off target before substitute Carlos Tevez drew a fine save from Reina as the Spaniard continued to atone for his first half error.

Ronaldo wasted another glorious chance with 12 minutes left, Reina blocking another close range effort, but the Portuguese winger claimed his 34th goal of the season from the resulting corner.

Reina was again at fault as the inswinging delivery was flicked home by Ronaldo running towards the near post.

Nani grabbed the goal of the game only 120 seconds later. The substitute collected Rooney's pass before bursting inside to unleash a right-foot drive past a static Reina.

Torres was immediately replaced with an ankle knock almost straight after the goal to end a frustrating and ineffective afternoon for the Spanish superstar.

The result leaves United six points clear of Arsenal and eight clear of Chelsea, who meet later at Stamford Bridge.

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