Man of the moment Carlos Tevez came off the bench to equalise before midfield maestro Michael Carrick sealed a superb away win for the champions with five minutes remaining.
United now need just four points from three games to win a third successive league title after the Reds brushed aside Mark Hughes’ men in the Manchester derby on Sunday.
A near-perfect afternoon's work at the Riverside Stadium allowed United to open up a six-point lead at the head of the Barclays Premier League table, and rest a number of key players ahead of Tuesday's Champions League semi-final trip to the Emirates Stadium.Ryan Giggs and Ji-sung Park struck in either half to give the Reds three priceless domestic points.