Normal service has been resumed by Manchester United

Wayne Rooney scores a brace and Manchester United restored order at the top of the table with a 4-0 defeat of visiting Aston Villa.

Danny Welbeck, centre, of Manchester United, celebrates scoring his team's second goal in their 4-0 victory over visiting Aston Villa on Sunday.

The neighbours are no longer quite as close as they were. Manchester United have put daylight between themselves and Manchester City.

Five points clear and scorers of four goals, Wednesday's loss at Wigan Athletic already has the look of a blip.

Normal order was restored at Old Trafford with Aston Villa duly demolished.

Indeed, there is a familiarity to much that happened. As United have not dropped a point at home in 2012, there was nothing unusual about a home win.

As Wayne Rooney took his tally to 10 goals in six games at Old Trafford, his brace was utterly unsurprising. And to his critics, there is something distinctly familiar about Ashley Young earning a dubious but decisive penalty.

Controversy has become a constant on the run-in with contentious penalty decisions - or non-decisions - in each of United's last four games.

Twice they have involved Young, whose inability to keep his balance in the opposing box has proved profitable for United.

The first goal is often pivotal and Young has the knack of ensuring his side score it.

History repeated itself in quick succession. Seven days earlier, Young's theatrical fall had brought a spot kick that Rooney converted. And, just as against QPR last week, the winger went to ground rather too easily, making the most of Ciaran Clark's sixth-minute challenge.

"I think he played for the penalty but he's definitely taken him," said Sir Alex Ferguson, though he did add: "It was a dramatic fall."

Alex McLeish's verdict was restrained but different.

"I didn't think it was a penalty," the Aston Villa manager said. "Ashley threw his leg into Ciaran Clark's leg. Ciaran was static; he planted his feet firmly on the ground and he tried to pull his leg away."

McLeish avoided accusing the former Villa player of diving, but the reunion may have cemented a reputation for theatrics.

Young's amateur dramatics come at a cost. For Villa, as for QPR, there was no way back. United took the opportunity to bolster their goal difference.

The lead was doubled on the stroke of half time when Michael Carrick strode forward purposefully, releasing Patrice Evra, who angled a low cross to the far post.

Both James Collins and Nathan Baker left it, seemingly unaware Danny Welbeck was arriving behind them to finish.

Rooney's second of the afternoon was steered in after a one-two with Antonio Valencia while the substitute Nani, who had replaced Young, scored the fourth after an incisive pass from Jonny Evans.

"We played some good stuff," Ferguson said. "I thought it was one of our better performances for a while."

It could have yielded more goals. Rooney, who accelerated past the 30-goal barrier for the season, was both prolific and profligate while Shay Given made a remarkable point-blank save to deny Welbeck.

Young, Valencia and Paul Scholes, with a thunderous volley, also came close. It made for a chastening afternoon for Villa who are without a win in five games and ravaged by injury.

McLeish fielded a side with an average age of 23 and featuring seven graduates of their youth system.

They could have led inside 30 seconds, when Andreas Weimann broke clear and David de Gea saved while Clark and Stephen Ireland both had chances to equalise, but they were overrun and outclassed.

"We've got three cup finals coming up," said McLeish, focusing on encounters with Sunderland, Bolton Wanderers and West Bromwich Albion. United have a league to pursue and the return to winning ways means many a fan's dream scenario remains possible.

They could clinch the title at their neighbours' home.

"As long as we win it and get the trophy I don't care where we win it," Rio Ferdinand said.

Others are rather more picky.

The Etihad Stadium on April 30 would suit many perfectly.

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