AFTER emerging from Sunderland's last two fixtures feeling robbed, manager Roy Keane was more gracious in defeat after watching his side outclassed by Manchester United.

The Premier League champions cruised to a fifth successive top-flight win, courtesy of three first half goals from Wayne Rooney, Louis Saha and Cristiano Ronaldo at the Stadium of Light yesterday afternoon.

Saha completed the 4-0 win in the closing stages from the penalty spot, to push the Black Cats further down the table at the half way stage of the campaign ahead of this Saturday's visit of Bolton.

Despite Sunderland's perilous position, Keane is trying to remain optimistic in choosing to reflect on the calibre of his former club rather than his side's failings on Boxing Day.

But the Irishman, desperate to recruit top quality personnel in the January transfer window, accepts the position Sunderland find themselves in is not good enough, although he remains confident things will turn around.

"The fans have been very good here and I'm not trying to patronise them. They will be hurting as much as me," said Keane, whose side have now lost 11 of their opening 19 matches back in the top-flight.

"We are not comfortable losing 4-0 to United. But we needed the fans to stay with us and they did. The easiest thing would have been to get on the players' backs but that's the last thing we need. We are in a sticky patch and that's certain.

"We would all like a few points extra and we would have liked them here. But that's the reality and we are where we are. The best team will win the league and the three worst will go down. I believe we are not one of those three teams and we will have to back that up."

With Bolton next on the agenda, Keane knows they can ill-afford to record anything other than a victory otherwise their battle to avoid the drop will become even harder in the new year.

But there was definitely a calmer exterior to the Sunderland manager after this latest defeat. And the performance from United has reassured him he was right to back Sir Alex Ferguson to keep the Premier League crown at Old Trafford for another year.

"My money has been on United. It's not wavered after this game one bit," said Keane.

"To win a league it's a combination of things and you need all things coming right if you are going to win.

"They have good forwards but they also have two good centrebacks. The team that wins the league, history will tell you, is a team that grows stronger.

United are heading into the new year with a hell of a chance. They were missing players but they still flexed their muscles and beat us."

It was Rooney who set the tone for this comprehensive victory, coolly slotting in the opening goal after 20 minutes, which had left Ferguson beaming.

And the United boss feels he now has numerous other players to complement the world-class talents of Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo.

"It was an excellent performance. Our passing and sharpness was very good allround," said Ferguson, after Rooney's first goal in two months. "The first put us in the driving seat because Sunderland are going through the stickiest part of their season.

"Strikers go on runs and Wayne has gone on a run of six without a goal. He was injured for a while and he is now close to what you would expect of him. The front players were outstanding."

It was the way Rooney and Ronaldo danced around the Sunderland defence that left Keane realistic rather than angry after watching his side fail to win at home for the sixth time this season.

They have also won just six of their last 77 matches in the Premier League.

"I am very disappointed," he said. "But if you are going to be beaten by four then why not against a very good team? "If you give Wayne Rooney plenty of space he will take it. It was always going to be a hard game.

"My players tried to remain positive. But we gave the ball away too easily."

Keane did reserve some praise for teenage debutant Martyn Waghorn.

The 17-year-old from South Shields, was handed his first appearance up front alongside Kenwyne Jones and was left in awe of his favourite player, Rooney.

"We have no doubts about him," said Keane. "He's physically very strong. His touch was assured.

"We are delighted and we hope he will have a long career. When I named the team he said bring it on'.

Martyn learned how tough it will be in the Premier League."