Champions United, inspired by a superb performance from Wayne Rooney, beat Wigan Athletic 5-0 at Old Trafford while Arsenal were never troubled by bottom-of-the-table Portsmouth in a 4-1 win at at Fratton Park.
Chelsea, who completed their holiday fixtures with a 2-1 win over Fulham on Monday, lead the table with 45 points from 20 matches, followed by United on 43 and Arsenal on 41 with a game in hand.
Aaron Ramsey made it 3-0 after 68 minutes with Arsenal's 50th league goal of the season and Alex Song Billong headed a superb fourth nine minutes from time, after Nadir Belhadj had netted a consolation for the home side.
The results left Wigan struggling two places and one point above the relegation zone, while Portsmouth remained bottom with 14 points from 20 matches -- four points adrift of Hull City, Bolton Wanderers and West Ham United.
ROONEY PLANT
"Vidic and Brown coming back makes a tremendous difference to the team," Ferguson said. "When we get all the defenders back, come the second half of the season we will be a much better team."
Arsenal, despite the absence of injured skipper Cesc Fabregas, were also in control from the start at Fratton Park, where the day began badly for the hosts after they were ordered by Britain's tax authorities to pay the money they owed or be taken to court in the New Year.
Portsmouth were soon in debt on the pitch too, falling behind in the 28th minute when Eduardo's free-kick took a deflection off Younes Kaboul and bounced over the goalline.
"We are up for it 100 per cent," he said. "The commitment is there, the focus is there and the talent is there so it will be very in
