Sepp Blatter is not the only one wanting Wayne Rooney reining in just now. Fearful Premiership managers are demanding exactly the same thing.

After putting Manchester United in front with a breakaway effort just before the break, Rooney then set up Ruud van Nistelrooy for the Red Devils' second and also provided the pass for Guiseppe Rossi's third as the visitors survived a spirited Sunderland revival.

Black Cats boss Mick McCarthy will wonder how his side managed just a single Stephen Elliott strike as reward for an afternoon of wholehearted effort.

Elliott's powerful drive did threaten a tense finale until 18-year-old Rossi marked his Premiership debut with a goal but Sunderland had no-one remotely in Rooney's class and the youngster on whom England's World Cup hopes are pinned once again proved unstoppable.

United may not be quite the force of old but the adage about taking your chances against them still holds.

For the vast majority of the opening period, Sunderland were on top. Kelvin Davis did not even see a shot fly towards his goal for 25 minutes and even that, a long-range Paul Scholes effort, brought no more than a cursory glance as it went wide.

But as the half-time interval loomed, the encounter was still waiting for its first goal. Therefore it was no surprise it should end up in the Sunderland net.

United's array of forwards had already noticed the Black Cats' enthusiasm to attack and opportunities were bound to come on the break. In that sense, Rooney's opener was a classic.

The visitors were only 10 yards from their own box when the move started. But once Van Nistelrooy had flicked John O'Shea's initial pass on to Park Ji-sung, Sunderland's half was flooded by United shirts.

Park wasted no time in feeding Rooney and although Davis seemed to miss a trick when the youngster pushed the ball a few yards too many ahead, the England man slipped round the home keeper in an instant, then netted his fifth goal of the campaign with a shot that struck a despairing Justin Hoyte on the way in.

No wonder McCarthy was so cheesed off. Given the former Ireland boss' frustration, his ironic applause as the United fans bellowed Roy Keane's name at him immediately after the goal was understandable and he did not react as kindly to the words of caution from fourth official Darren Drysdale.

It could all have been so different too.

With Elliott looking particularly lively, Sunderland had carried virtually all the attacking threat until Rooney scored.

Their best chance came midway through the half when skipper Gary Breen rose to meet Liam Lawrence's near post corner with a firm header which was heading into the top corner until Edwin van der Sar clawed it out.

Van der Sar has been a Red Devils hero on more than one occasion already this season and the veteran Dutchman's reactions were required again when Lawrence's cross evaded Phil Bardsley and dropped at Andy Welsh's feet. The youngster did not really have time to control and when he tried, Van der Sar raced out to smother at his feet.

On his Premiership debut, Bardsley had impressed as United's injury-ravaged defence held firm.

They were only badly exposed on one other occasion before half-time, when Elliott seized on a Mikael Silvestre mistake but surprisingly opted to cross instead of running free into the area.

Admirably, the Wearsiders maintained their attacking impetus after the break but it quickly became apparent the energy was being sapped from their legs.

Far too often they gifted the visitors possession and the only shock was it took so long before they were punished.

Van Nistelrooy was inches away from turning home crosses by Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo and Breen booted Park's effort off the line.

But the inevitable second finally came 14 minutes from time when Rooney pushed a pass forward from halfway, allowing Van Nistelrooy to outpace Steven Caldwell and drill home his 10th of the campaign.

It looked like being a stroll to the final whistle for the visitors until Elliott thumped one into the top corner.

The glorious strike was the cue for a frenzied Wearside onslaught. But United survived - and Rossi's heavily deflected effort ensured they had something to spare.

Teams

Sunderland Davis, Nosworthy, Breen, Caldwell, Hoyte, Lawrence (Le Tallec 62), Whitehead, Miller, Welsh (Robinson 86), Elliott, Gray (Stead 62).

Subs Not Used: Alnwick, Collins.

Booked: Whitehead, Caldwell, Stead.

Goals: Elliott 82.

Man Utd Van der Sar, Bardsley, Ferdinand, Silvestre, O'Shea (Pique 89), Park, Smith, Scholes, Rooney, van Nistelrooy (Rossi 78), Ronaldo (Miller 89).

Subs Not Used: Howard, Fletcher.

Booked: Ronaldo.

Goals: Rooney 40, van Nistelrooy 76, Rossi 87.

Att: 39,085

Ref: S Bennett (Kent).