CRISTIANO Ronaldo gave United fans everywhere a Happy New Year to add to his marvellous Christmas with another thrilling two-goal haul.

The Portuguese star also made the opener for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer as the Reds stepped up their relentless pursuit of the Premiership title.

In the past, Ferguson has given Ronaldo an fortnight off at this time of year, and he has spent the hectic Christmas period sunning himself on the beaches of his native Madeira.

Not this time. Ronaldo has rapidly become the Reds' most dangerous asset, as he proved against a Reading side which came to Old Trafford buoyed by their Boxing Day draw at Chelsea.

Ferguson again rang the changes. As well as the enforced replacement of suspended duo Nemanja Vidic and Paul Scholes by Rio Ferdinand and Michael Carrick, the manage also drafted Gabriel Heinze and Cristiano Ronaldo into the starting line-up in place of Patrice Evra.

It appeared to make little difference early in the game as Reading were pressed back relentlessly. But a lack of spark around the box, and some dogged defending frustrated the Reds for much of the first half.

Indeed, Leroy Lita and Glenn Little came close to a shock opening goal as Steve Coppell's side played shrewdly on the break.

Invention

The breakthrough came via some Ronaldo invention and Solskjaer opportunism on 33 minutes. The Portuguese ace, recently lauded as one of the best players in the world by his manager, performed his customary step-overs and feints on the left, but what he did next marked him out as something special.

The lazy ball would have been a cross slung to the far post but instead Ronaldo spotted that the darting Solskjaer was heading in the opposite direction and a beautifully-weighted near-post cross was a simple invitation for the intuitive Norwegian.

But Reading are a stubborn lot and five minutes later they were level via route one. Nicky Shorey's free kick from close to halfway was a hopeful punt into the box but as three United defenders and Edwin van der Sar all converged, it was Ibra Sonko who rose highest, the ball glancing off his head and into the unguarded net.

Ronaldo was again the major United threat in the first half and his header twanged against the bar as the Reds looked to hit back before the break.

The second half was one-way traffic and it was a delightful move which opened the Royals up on 58 minutes. Half time substitute Ryan Giggs played the ball to Rooney on the edge of the box and his flick with the outside of his boot sent Solskjaer racing clear.

For once the Norwegian missed the target, but when the ball came back off the post Ronaldo snapped up his 11th goal of the season.

Reading's task became almost impossible on 69 minutes when Sam Sodje, on as a sub for just ten minutes, was sent off for a second yellow card.

And on 77 minutes the Reds secured the points, Giggs clipping a cross to the far post where Ronaldo, looking suspiciously offside, smashed in a volley from close range to join Louis Saha as the club's top scorer on 12.

The visitors made added time interesting when Lita capitalised on a slip by Mikael Silvestre to score.

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