Manchester United outclassed 10-man Liverpool to move six points clear at the top of the Premier League table.

Wes Brown put United ahead from Wayne Rooney’s cross before Liverpool’s hopes were hit when Javier Mascherano was sent off for dissent before the break.

Some great saves by Pepe Reina kept the visitors in the game but he was at fault when Cristiano Ronaldo headed home United’s second from a corner.

Nani’s fine finish into the top corner completed an emphatic win for United.

The win strengthens United’s position as leaders ahead of Arsenal’s visit to Chelsea later on Sunday, but the talking point after this match will be Mascherano’s dismissal.

The Argentine midfielder, who had been booked early on for a wild challenge on Paul Scholes, foolishly chose to continue an argument that his team-mate Fernando Torres had started with referee Steve Bennett over a series of challenges by United’s defenders.

Torres had already been booked for dissent when Mascherano got involved so, if Bennett was to be consistent, he had no choice but to produce another yellow card.

The decision further infuriated Mascherano, who had to be escorted off the pitch, and his manager Rafa Benitez was also left angry.

It also virtually ended his side’s hopes of getting anything from the game, as United had dominated even when Liverpool had 11 men on the pitch.

Sir Alex Ferguson’s men had created all the best chances in the opening period and only some superb saves by Reina kept the home side at bay.

United could have had a penalty when Jamie Carragher clipped Rooney in the area but the striker stayed on his feet and his eventual shot was saved by the Spaniard.

Reina came to the rescue again when Paul Scholes’ free-kick caught the Liverpool defence napping, collecting the ball after Rooney failed to control it.

The Reds’ best spell followed when they at last threatened Edwin van der Sar’s goal.

Fabiano Aurelio sliced his shot wide when well placed inside the area, while Steven Gerrard had a rasping effort deflected over soon after.

But United were still threatening themselves and Ronaldo hit the post from a Ryan Giggs free-kick, only to be wrongly ruled offside, before Reina almost fumbled Giggs’ cross into his own net.

The Liverpool defence was struggling with any high balls played into the area and it was no great surprise when United took the lead through that route.

Martin Skrtel did not attempt to reach Rooney’s cross and Brown beat Reina to the ball, which looped into the net off his back.

Mascherano’s red card meant Liverpool had it all to do after the break and, if not for their goalkeeper, they would have been dead and buried.

Scholes’ clever lob sent Ronaldo clear but Reina came out to block and, after watching Ronaldo’s free-kick fly narrowly wide, he saved his side again with an instinctive stop from Rooney.

Reina made another instinctive save to deny United substitute Carlos Tevez after Alvaro Arbeloa had inadvertently steered the ball into the striker’s path.

He also did brilliantly to push away Ronaldo’s shot but will not enjoy watching a replay of the ensuing corner, from which the Portuguese star rose above him to head home.

Nani’s thumping finish from the edge of the area underlined United’s superiority and heaps the pressure on Chelsea and Arsenal ahead of their meeting at Stamford Bridge.

Man Utd: Van der Sar, Brown, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra, Ronaldo, Scholes, Carrick, Anderson (Tevez 73), Giggs (Nani 73), Rooney.
Subs Not Used: Kuszczak, Hargreaves, O’Shea.
Booked: Ferdinand.
Goals: Brown 34, Ronaldo 79, Nani 81.

Liverpool: Reina, Arbeloa, Carragher, Skrtel, Aurelio, Mascherano, Alonso, Kuyt, Gerrard, Babel (Benayoun 66), Torres (Riise 82).
Subs Not Used: Itandje, Hyypia, Crouch.
Sent Off: Mascherano (44).
Booked: Mascherano, Torres, Arbeloa.

Att: 76,000
Ref: Steve Bennett (Kent)