Here's how David Moyes' men performed:
DAVID DE GEA: Sprung into action to produce a superb double-save towards the end of the first half having had a quiet game up to that point, and made another vital stop in the second period - 8/10.
RAFAEL: Following on from his poor showing against Liverpool, got away with an early mistake and did not really err at the back thereafter, while providing support in attack when he could - 6.
PATRICE EVRA: Eager as ever to be involved in attack, but looked to be struggling on the defensive side. Booked in second half and misses the next game - 5.
PHIL JONES: Survived a scare when Joel Campbell left him for dead around the quarter-hour mark and had a couple of other suspect moments, but made a vital defensive header in the closing stages - 6.
RIO FERDINAND: Looked generally composed, although was another to receive a yellow card - 6.
RYAN GIGGS: Produced some wonderful passes, including one that led to the penalty and another that Wayne Rooney took on to set up the second goal - 8.
MICHAEL CARRICK: Made an important clearance in the first half and did not really put a foot wrong, but did pick up a booking - 6.
ANTONIO VALENCIA: Battled on manfully after sustaining a bulbous bruise above his eye early on that must have affected his vision. His committed display finally came to an end with 13 minutes to go when he was replaced by Ashley Young - 6.
DANNY WELBECK: Showed good work-rate throughout and won the free-kick from which Van Persie completed his hat-trick - 7.
WAYNE ROONEY: A fine all-round performance, only lacking a goal. Hit the post with a header and put the ball on a plate for Van Persie to score his second - 8.
ROBIN VAN PERSIE: Well and truly rose to occasion when United needed him to, showing clinical finishing from the penalty spot, open play and a free-kick to claim the match ball - 8.
Substitutes
ASHLEY YOUNG (on for Valencia, 77): No major impact, but did nothing wrong - 5.
DARREN FLETCHER (on for Welbeck, 81): Helped United see out the victory - 6.
MAROUANE FELLAINI (on for Van Persie, 90): Only saw the last few seconds after Van Persie was carried off on a stretcher - 5.
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