With Manchester United beating Cardiff 2-0 at Old Trafford last night, here are five things we learned from the tie.

1) Still in for top 4

With Everton losing at Liverpool, and Tottenham yet to play their 23rd league game, United are still six points adrift of the top four. However, with Mata now in the team, Everton taking a battering and the top four having a tough run of games coming up, David Moyes will still believe in a top four finish.

2) United dominant at home

We have seen the Red Devils crash and burn at Old Trafford this season, including defeats to lesser clubs like West Brom, but they battered Cardiff last night.

United had 17 shots at goal, completed nearly 90% of their 454 passes and looked happy for Cardiff to attack them.

3) van Persie is back                                  

The Dutch striker has been out of action for a while due to injury, but it was his close range finish that opened the scoring. It was his 10th goal of the season from 16 outings.

4) Whittingham strong in the middle

The Cardiff player is traditionally a wide player, though tucked inside he was able to show his range of passing against United. He was successful in 77/79 of his passes and made three interceptions, as well as winning 2/3 of his take ons.

5) Cardiff in deep trouble

The loss leaves the bluebirds sitting in bottom having played a game more than the two clubs directly above them, Sunderland and West Ham. They need to start turning it around before the business end of the season.