Sportinglife.com

Michael Carrick scored his first goal for Manchester United after his £18million move from Tottenham in the summer as Aston Villa caved in at Old Trafford.

Ji-Sung Park and Cristiano Ronaldo were also on target as the visitors were made to pay for some shocking defending.

United were looking to complete a hat-trick of victories against Aston Villa in the space of three weeks and cement their place at the top of the table.

Manager Sir Alex Ferguson made three changes to the team that defeated Martin O'Neill's side in the FA Cup last Sunday.

Edwin van der Sar, Nemanja Vidic and Paul Scholes all returned while Henrik Larsson retained his place after scoring on his debut.

Villa boss O'Neill also made three changes with Thomas Sorensen replacing the hapless Gabor Kiraly between the posts. Olof Mellberg and Milan Baros were also included.

United winger Ronaldo was presented with his Barclays player of the month award before kick-off.

The Portugal international is in a rich vein of form on the back of seven goals in five games during December.

Ronaldo won a free-kick in the third minute when he was tripped by Isiah Osbourne.

The young Old Trafford star dusted himself down and delivered a good ball into the box but Wayne Rooney's header soared over the top.

Larsson almost made the breakthrough a minute later after being set up by Gary Neville.

The Swede peeled away from his marker to power in a header that was superbly tipped away by Sorensen.

United took the lead in the 11th minute after Gary Cahill's miskick six yards out.

Park was first to react and found the corner with his effort for his first goal of the season.

United made in 2-0 two minutes later with Carrick's first goal for the club.

The former Tottenham midfielder took a ball from Park in his stride and sent in a half-volley that went under Sorensen's body.

Villa boss O'Neill was already pacing the technical area - and little wonder.

United were knocking the ball about in the middle of the park with Carrick growing in confidence.

Villa were rattled but Gareth Barry's ball into the United area in the 23rd minute gave them some hope but Osbourne headed wide.

There was a scare for United in the 26th minute when Gabriel Agbonlahor sprung the offside trap.

He homed in on goal but Van der Sar stood tall to make a good block and keep United's two-goal advantage.

United went 3-0 ahead in the 34th minute after Park won possession of Gavin McCann.

The Korea midfielder found Carrick and his cross was headed home at the far post for Ronaldo to score his 13th goal of the season.

O'Neill was left shaking his head in disbelief as the damage had been self-inflicted.

Villa went into the match without a win in 11 games and it showed as they were short on confidence.

United were controlling the midfield and Scholes released Carrick in the 43rd minute but he lofted his effort high over the bar.

A minute later Wayne Rooney should have extended their lead after good work by Ronaldo.

The England striker turned quickly on the edge of the area only to drag his effort wide of the post.

United captain Neville delivered a good ball into the area after 50 minutes but Scholes' effort failed to test Sorensen.

Villa reduced the deficit a minute later when Agbonlahor prodded home from close range after a good run and cross from Milan Baros.

It was just the boost O'Neill needed if his side were to get anything out of the game.

Larsson was finding it difficult to get into the game although no one could question his work ethic as he continued to roam the pitch looking to create some space for himself.

Rooney was also putting in a hard shift with little reward and came close to finding the target after 63 minutes.

He carved out an opening for himself but Sorensen was equal to his effort from an acute angle.

United threw on an additional striker a minute later with Louis Saha replacing goalscorer Park.

The Frenchman has made a swift recovery from the groin injury he suffered only 12 days ago at Newcastle.

Saha was quickly into action and saw his goal-bound effort blocked on the line by Cahill as United stepped up the pressure.