UNITED 5 ZALA 0

Doubting Sir Alex Ferguson and his players has always been a fool's pastime.
A tie reeking of danger became a cakewalk for Manchester United here last
night and they will go into tomorrow's Champions League draw in Monaco as
second favourites only to Real Madrid.

In an increasingly money-obsessed industry, the financial implications will be
enormous. The Champions League is a treasure chest for the haves and
have-yachts of Europe (qualification: £15m; reaching the final: £50m) whereas
the Uefa Cup is little more than its poor cousin. In terms of finance alone, last
night was the difference between digging gold or iron pyrites.

In terms of kudos, it is impossible to measure. Missing out on a European Cup
final in his native Glasgow was a galling experience for Ferguson last season
and, with Old Trafford designated as this season's final venue, there is the
potential yet for an exhilarating finale to the manager's 17th season in office.
May 28 2003 will already be circled in Ferguson's calendar.

United were 3-0 up and suddenly a tie reeking of danger had taken on a new
complexion. It was beginning to feel slightly preposterous that anyone had
seriously believed United had ever felt threatened by opponents with such
limited experience, a side captained by a reformed alcoholic and whose
record signing cost £145,000 - a fortnight's wages for Beckham.

This was United at their most awesome and vindication of Ferguson's
decision to play Paul Scholes behind Ruud van Nistelrooy. By his own
admission, it is not the position that Scholes prefers, but his alertness and
intelligence consistently menaced United's opponents and only five minutes
had elapsed before his vision had created the opening goal, an exquisite flick
dissecting the visiting defence for Van Nistelrooy to run clear and aim a sure
shot beyond the oncoming Sasa Ilic. So far, so good, and things were to
improve dramatically. Ryan Giggs was fouled 30 yards from goal and, with
one swing of that trusty right boot, Beckham had sent his free-kick into the top
corner of Ilic's goal. It was the sort of goal that perhaps only he is capable of
and Old Trafford acclaimed a wonderful moment. At that stage, it seemed that
United could score with every attack but they had to wait another six minutes
before extending their lead further. At first, it appeared as though Scholes had
got the ball stuck beneath his feet from Beckham's cross but, as Zala's
defenders left it to one another, he managed to squeeze a shot into the
bottom corner.

Scholes went off five minutes into the second half after suffering an ankle
injury. But that apart, there was little to trouble the home side. Roy Carroll,
deputising for the injured Fabien Barthez, was seldom troubled. Rio
Ferdinand, belatedly making his competitive debut, was assured alongside
Laurent Blanc in defence before being replaced by John O'Shea midway
through the second half. And Roy Keane was there, as always, to chastise
anyone he felt was slacking just a little. He need not have worried. United
eased to the finishing line, the only minor disappointment being that Diego
Forlan, a player who is beginning to earn comparisons with Ralph Milne, was
not allowed the opportunity to register his first goal after Ilic, very harshly, was
sent off 15 minutes from time.

Ilic and Van Nistelrooy had clattered into each other as the goalkeeper
gathered a bouncing ball. There did not appear to be too much malice
involved but Van Nistelrooy stayed down and the Portuguese referee, having
consulted one of his assistants, awarded a penalty and brandished a red card.
Forlan, on the field only three minutes, looked as though he was going to take
the kick but common sense prevailed and Van Nistelrooy added his second of
the night. Forlan then had a goal disallowed before Solskjaer rounded things
off nicely, latching on to Ryan Giggs's pass before scoring United's fifth. Did
we ever doubt them?