Ashley Young, right, celebrates his goal with Danny Welbeck (AP)

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London - Manchester United kept the pressure on Premier League leaders Manchester City as Ashley Young's superb double inspired a 3-1 win against Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday.

On the day Andre Villas-Boas was sacked by Chelsea, Alex Ferguson's second-placed side moved to within two points of table-topping City after a ruthless display of finishing at White Hart Lane.

United survived a strong showing from Spurs in the first half and took the lead through Wayne Rooney's header just before the break.

Young bagged the second with a powerful volley from a tight angle and then put the result beyond doubt with a stunning curling effort from outside the area.

Jermain Defoe reduced the deficit late on, but third-placed Spurs have now lost their last two league games and are just four points ahead of resurgent Arsenal.

Spurs, without the ill Gareth Bale, injured Rafael van der Vaart and suspended Scott Parker, were denied a first-half opener when Emmanuel Adebayor's close-range effort was disallowed for a handball by the Togo striker.

United took full advantage from that let-off to take the lead themselves as Rooney got in front of Kyle Walker to head in Young's corner on the stroke of half-time.

Young got the second in the 60th minute as he lashed in a volley after Walker failed to clear Nani's cross and the England winger struck again nine minutes later, bending a fine finish past Brad Friedel as the Spurs defence backed off.

Defoe pounced on a wayward Ryan Giggs pass to lash home for the hosts in the 87th minute, but it was no consolation for Harry Redknapp's side.