Summary Rooney, Mata and Van Persie scored from United side while De Gea was brilliant as usual at keeping.
MANCHESTER, England: (AP) - Manchester United heaped more misery on Liverpool by beating its great rival 3-0 in the Premier League on Sunday, earning a sixth straight win to underline the transformation in fortunes of England s two biggest clubs.
Wayne Rooney and Juan Mata from an offside position scored to give United a 2-0 lead at halftime and Robin van Persie added the third in the 71st minute at Old Trafford.
While third-place United remained eight points behind leader Chelsea to maintain its unlikely title challenge, Liverpool is mid-table and struggling to recreate the form that took the team to a runner-up finish last season.
The score was harsh on Liverpool, with United goalkeeper David de Gea producing a string of brilliant saves to deny Raheem Sterling and Mario Balotelli.
