Ronaldo opened the scoring in the third minute from the edge of the box after collecting Dimitar Berbatov¿s pass, put Hull were level on 23 minutes when Daniel Cousin headed home Andy Dawson¿s free-kick.

The set-back didn¿t ruffle United however, and they were soon back in front when Michael Carrick rolled the ball home (29), and Ronaldo headed his second and United’s third (44).

Nemanja Vidic volleyed in Wayne Rooney’s corner on 57 minutes before the Tigers hauled themselves back into the game through Bernard Mendy¿s lob (69) and Geovanni¿s penalty (80) after Rio Ferdinand had tripped Mendy in the box.

United held on though to go third in the Premier League table, above Hull who drop to sixth.