MANCHESTER UNITED took another stride towards the Premiership title at Old Trafford despite never getting close to their best against relegation-threatened Charlton. The Red Devils were never comfortable even after Park Ji-Sung had nodded them in front midway through the first half. And in the end, it took a moment of magic from Wayne Rooney to set up Darren Fletcher for the easiest of goals to seal another precious win and preserve United's six-point lead over Chelsea.

The hosts created their first chance inside the opening minute, Park collecting Gary Neville's throw before turning to smash a volley well over.

Charlton debutant, Alexandre Song, stood firm as Rooney tried to weave his way into the box but United soon had another opportunity when Souleymane Diawara's header landed at Park's feet. The South Korean quickly controlled, then let fly with a fierce drive Charlton keeper Scott Carson did well to tip over.

Tomasz Kuszczak then produced a superb save to deny Darren Ambrose, who leapt above two United defenders to reach Osei Sankofa's cross.

Kuszczak was called on again shortly afterwards, again to deny Ambrose, and within two minutes, United had gone in front. There did not appear to be too much danger when Patrice Evra's cross looped up off Madjid Bougherra but Park spotted his opportunity early and rose above Ben Thatcher to head home his second goal of the campaign.

Ryan Giggs got on the end of Rooney's inswinging cross but his header lacked the power to test Carson. Rooney then almost netted a sensational second when he brought Giggs' long ball down inside the box with his right-foot from almost head height, taking Thatcher out of the game.

The England star took one more touch to control before thrashing his shot wide.

Charlton pushed forward at the start of the second period, although Bougherra's error seemed to have let Rooney in but the defender quickly made amends with a sliding challenge to block the shot. Rooney was getting through his usual mountain of work although, like his teammates, whenever he collected possession, there was usually a black Charlton shirt confronting him immediately.

Zheng Zhi flashed a shot wide as the visitors pressed, then Matt Holland wasted some good approach work from his team by drifting a far-post cross beyond Ambrose. After another few minutes of nothing much, Alex Ferguson replaced Giggs with Henrik Larsson. The veteran Swede was soon making a nuisance of himself, although United found their goal under pressure again and it took a well-timed header from Nemanja Vidic to stop Bent getting to Zheng's cross.

And United suffered a major scare when Dennis Rommedahl floated a superb free-kick deep into the penalty area, which Bent was a whisker away from converting. As ever though, the hosts were a danger on the break and, after Rooney's superb pass offered Louis Saha an opportunity which he fired straight at Carson, United doubled their lead.

Again Rooney was involved, quickly latching onto the loose ball after Carson had kept out his initial shot and deftly scooping a cross to the far post where Darren Fletcher headed into an empty net.