Three crosses proved Chelsea's undoing at Old Trafford on Sunday afternoon as we fell to a first away league defeat of the season.

A corner had led to United's opener in first half injury time, headed in by Nemanja Vidic, and was followed up by second half strikes from Wayne Rooney and Dimitar Berbatov.

Chelsea struggled throughout to create chances, and were limited to long range efforts and patient, yet fruitless build-up for much of the game.

Luiz Felipe Scolari was able to recall John Terry and Michael Ballack, whose suspensions were complete, and Petr Cech was back in goal after Carlo Cudicini's outing against Southend last weekend.

For United, Gary Neville captained the side from right-back while Patrice Evra returned on the left. Jonny Evans continued at centre-back in the continued absence of Rio Ferdinand, while Cristiano Ronaldo was available following his car crash exploits in the week.

On a typically grey Manchester afternoon, it was Chelsea were first out of the blockd, Frank Lampard shooting wide from just outside the area after linking up with Deco and Joe Cole.

His next action was to aim a late kick at the shins of Ronaldo, and was subsequently booked by referee Howard Webb.

His next big call was to award the Blues a free-kick 25 yards from goal, as Fletcher lunged into Deco. The Portuguese would have been a contender for the shot, but it was Ballack who stepped up, only to shoot tamely into the wall.

Eight minutes later United had their own set piece opportunity when Ashley Cole handled Ronaldo's cross on the left-hand edge of the Chelsea box. Ryan Giggs, trying to catch Cech off guard, went for goal, but the goalkeeper punched clear.

Danger wasn't fully averted though, and when Joe Cole cut down Rooney in a more central position, Ronaldo was able to line up a shot that was deflected wide.

Absorbing thought it was, neither side looked to be at their sharpest, relying more on set pieces for chances than any outstanding creative play. Bosingwa was booked for a foul on Rooney, and then Ricardo Carvalho and Ronaldo were booked after their set to in the Chelsea box.

The first chance to come from open play took half an hour, as Evra cut inside and found Rooney who in turn flicked on for Berbatov. The Bulgarian turned and should have scored, but scuffed his shot and Cech was able to gather low to his left.

Two minutes before the break it was United again who threatened as Ji-Sung Park escaped his marker and shot from 10 yards. John Terry arrived on the scene in the nick of time to block the goalbound effort.

If that wasn't a good enough chance there were more when Mikel's pass was intercepted in his own area. First Ronaldo and then Fletcher lined up but found the path to goal blocked.

Ronaldo did have the ball in the net but the linesman issued a retake of a corner. The warning should have been heeded, but clearly wasn't.

Giggs' corner was swung in from the United right, Berbatov flicked to the far post and Vidic, unmarked was able to direct towards goal. Cech's outstretched palm wasn't enough and once again Chelsea were punished from a set piece.

At half-time Scolari would have had some stern words for his men. His preparations for the second half involved introducing a second forward in Nicolas Anelka. Deco made way.

The change allowed Joe Cole more freedom to float from right to left, but United's deep lying backline was preventing a Chelsea breakthrough, forcing the ball from side to side without penetration.

The home side were able to take advantage, and a second goal arrived from Rooney just after the hour. Evra was allowed to advance along the left flank and delivered a cross into the centre, where Rooney volleyed home.

The England forward showed more hunger in the area than Ashley Cole, who may have been deceived by the slightest of touches from Berbatov.

Scolari replaced Bosingwa, who had given the impression he was struggling for fitness, with Juliano Belletti the replacement.

Into the final 20 minutes Chelsea's day seemed to be summed up when Didier Drogba caught a rare sight of goal. Usually clinical, he swung and missed the ball altogether when Lampard's free-kick fell his way.

At the other end another Ronaldo free-kick looked to have been dipping under the crossbar after taking a heavy deflection, and Cech played safe by tipping it over.

With seven minutes to go Ashley Cole's loose pass gave the World Player of the Year another opportunity to shoot, but he, like Berbatov after him, was off target from 25 yards.

With four minutes left, those two combined for the third goal. Another free-kick, this time conceded wide on the right by Belletti was fired into the near post by the Portuguese, and Berbatov was on hand to volley home.

It rounded off a miserable day which had seen important ground lost in the Premier League title race. An FA Cup replay will not be a welcome distraction as Scolari looks to prepare his men for Stoke next weekend.

By Andy Jones

Chelsea (4-1-4-1): Cech; Bosingwa (Belletti 62), Carvalho, Terry (c), A Cole; Mikel; J Cole (Di Santo 84), Ballack, Lampard, Deco (Anelka h-t); Drogba.
Booked Lampard 3, Bosingwa 26, Carvalho 27, Terry 79, Belletti 85
Man Utd (4-4-2): Van der Sar; Neville (c), Evans, Vidic, Evra (O' Shea 65); Ronaldo, Fletcher, Giggs (Carrick 79), Park; Rooney, Berbatov.
Goals Vidic 45+1, Rooney 62, Berbatov 86
Booked Ronaldo 27,Rooney 65, Park 68