Trailing Chelsea by nine points before the early kick-off game with just four fixtures left, United knew they had to beat fourth-placed Spurs or else risk Chelsea taking the title by beating Everton later the same day.

Despite intense pressure from Spurs, themselves desperate to hold onto fourth place and a Champions League qualification spot also coveted by Arsenal, United just about held on for a Rooney-inspired win.

The 20-year-old, tipped to be one of the key players in this summer's World Cup, scrambled his first from point-blank range from Cristiano Ronaldo's low cross in a lightning eight-minute counter-attack.

Then, 10 minutes before half-time, Spurs's South Korean defender Lee Young-Pyo dawdled on the ball in his own penalty area and was robbed by international teammate Park Ji-Sung. Rooney grabbed the loose ball and shot fiercely past Paul Robinson for a 16th Premiership goal of the season.

Tottenham came out furiously after the break and their pressure paid off in the 53rd minute, Jermaine Jenas poking the ball into an empty goal from a yard out after United's defenders made a mess of clearing a Spurs corner.

Tottenham fought desperately for an equaliser but United held on and almost made the game safe in the 86th minute when Ruud van Nistelrooy hit the post from close range with Robinson stranded.

While still overwhelming favourites to retain their title, Chelsea must now wait until April 29 at the earliest to be confirmed as champions -- when they take on Man Utd at Stamford Bridge.