Manchester United [ Images ] beat Liverpool 2-1 with goals from Wayne Rooney [ Images ] and Park Ji-sung [ Images ] to send the champions back to the top of the Premier League on Sunday.

United moved to 69 points from 31 games, displacing overnight leaders Arsenal [ Images ] who slipped back to second with 67 points. Chelsea [ Images ], third on 64 points, will go above Arsenal if they win at Blackburn Rovers in a later kickoff.

Liverpool struck first in glorious spring sunshine at Old Trafford when an unmarked Fernando Torres [ Images ] headed in Dirk Kuyt's [ Images ] cross after only five minutes but their lead was short-lived.

United drew level seven minutes later after Javier Mascherano [ Images ] conceded a penalty for a foul on Antonio Valencia and, although Rooney's spot-kick was saved by Pepe Reina [ Images ], he pounced on the rebound to score his 33rd goal this season.

Park scored what proved to be the winner when he converted Darren Fletcher's [ Images ] cross from the right with a brave diving header after 60 minutes.

Fulham [ Images ] host Manchester City [ Images ] in the afternoon's other match.