Manchester United have two homes: Old Trafford and top of the Premiership. They returned to both on Saturday and it is difficult to see anyone ending the relationship.
Alec Ferguson's team did not play particularly well, but they still beat Sunderland 30 - following Tuesday's 6-0 filleting of Bradford - to preserve an unbeaten home-record that stretches back to December 1998.
Having produced a coruscating opening spell to go 1-0 ahead - Paul Scholes heading in David Beckham's cross after a wonderful passing sequence through the middle - the United players took their foot off the pedal.
As a result, Peter Reid's injury-hit side suddenly found themselves with plenty of possession, but lacked the pace, movement and invention to worry Fabian Barthez. Until a decisive moment on 75 minutes.
Emerson Thome headed a Sunderland corner goalwards and Niall Quinn helped it on. But, just as the ball looked to be heading over the line, Barthez's arm appeared from nowhere to push it away.
Annoyed by such impudence, United marched down the other end to put the match beyond reach.
Manchester Utd: Barthez; G Neville, Silvestre, Johnsen, Stam (Irwin 45), Beckham, Butt, Scholes, Cole (Solskjaer 80), Sheringham, Giggs. Subs Not Used: Van Der Gouw, P Neville, Wallwork. Booked: Butt. Goals: Scholes 14 82, Sheringham 76.
Sunderland: Macho; Makin, Gray, Hutchison, Craddock, Thome, Quinn, Holloway (Roy 45), Arca (Oster 70), Phillips, Kilbane. Subs Not Used: Marriott, Dichio, Williams. Booked: Thome, Holloway, Hutchison.
Referee: N Barry (Scunthorpe).
