The Wearsiders looked set to earn a stunning point after a resolute defensive effort until defender Vidic tapped in after Michael Carrick had hit the post.

Sunderland keeper Marton Fulop was in inspired form and United missed a string of chances as they dominated throughout.

Dimitar Berbatov headed over and Anderson was denied by a last-ditch challenge before Vidic saved the day.

His goal came as United looked set to fall further behind their title rivals as they headed for a rare goalless draw at Old Trafford.

United were dominant early on but Manchester City came closest to scoring when Stephen Ireland grazed a post.

Rooney followed up Michael Carrick’s shot to break the deadlock before Ronaldo was sent off for a second booking after inexplicably handling.

Richard Dunne almost levelled but saw his shot cleared off the line before Joe Hart kept out a late Rooney lob.

Nasri’s deflected shot opened the scoring in the 22nd minute and he doubled their advantage three minutes after the interval with a powerful finish from Cesc Fabregas’s precise pass.

Substitute Rafael volleyed United back into contention with a minute of normal time left – but Arsenal survived six extra minutes and an outbreak of mass anxiety at the Emirates to clinch the three points.

It was a victory they merited, with United creating and wasting chances but never carrying the same sense of self-belief as Arsenal in a highly charged atmosphere.

Cristiano Ronaldo opened the scoring with a low strike before Daniel Cousin headed Hull level at the near post.

Michael Carrick struck from 20 yards, Ronaldo headed in a corner and Nemanja Vidic volleyed home as United led 4-1.

But Bernard Mendy lobbed Edwin van der Sar, and when Mendy was fouled by Rio Ferdinand, Geovanni converted the penalty to set up a grandstand finish.

Hull started the match two points ahead of their opponents and defending an unbeaten away record in the Premier League but Phil Brown’s team were outclassed by their illustrious and expensively assembled opponents for most of the game.

United dominated the first half and deservedly took the lead when Darren Fletcher ran onto Ryan Giggs’ pass to slot home after 22 minutes.

Everton keeper Tim Howard kept his side in the game until Fellaini rose to head in Phil Neville’s cross.

Yakubu then had a shot turned on to the post by United keeper Edwin van der Sar to deny Everton an unlikely win.

The visitors battled hard early on while Rooney had an effort disallowed.

But the in-form England international cut inside Ryan Donk to fire a superb opener on 55 minutes before setting up Cristiano Ronaldo for a simple second.

Dimitar Berbatov added a casual third after poor Baggies defending before Rooney set up Nani to slide in late on.

Brown headed in from a Rooney cross, although Blackburn claimed keeper Jason Brown had been impeded by United’s Nemanja Vidic in the build-up.

Rooney swept home a second after a blistering burst of pace from Cristiano Ronaldo down the right wing.

Blackburn rarely threatened and Carlos Tevez was denied a third by the post.

Wayne Rooney slid home a pass from Ryan Giggs – on for Paul Scholes after he was stretchered off with a knee injury – to open the scoring after 22 minutes.

Berbatov opened his goal account when he took advantage of a defensive mix-up to score 10 minutes after half-time.

He then volleyed in Cristiano Ronaldo’s cross for his second after 79 minutes.

United outclassed Bruce Rioch’s minnows, but injuries to Scholes and Rooney cast a shadow over the win, which leaves them with four points from their first two group games.