Wayne Rooney's 16th goal of the season was enough to propel Manchester United 15 points clear with just nine games remaining in the Barclays Premier League title race following a 1-0 victory over Reading.
Rooney's deflected first-half effort saw off a dogged Reading outfit, who worked hard but lacked the class to fashion an equaliser.
The Royals now look certainties for relegation, sliding seven points adrift of safety with one game fewer than United to save themselves, while 13 points will do it for Sir Alex Ferguson's men to clinch a record 20th championship.
