United strut stuff on Old Trafford catwalk

Slim was the word Alex Ferguson used to describe Manchester United chances of winning the championship from lowly ninth place. They will hardly be considered fat this morning, but Ferguson may think that they are somewhat thicker than a catwalk model's waistline.

Certainly United look a more attractive proposition after their first Premiership victory at Old Trafford for almost a month.

For the third game in a row, David Beckham was omitted but goals from Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Roy Keane, Ruud van Nistelrooy and, in the 89th minute, a fifth from Paul Scholes, gave United a comfortable win and a boost of confidence.

It was topped by a hyperactive performance from Juan Veron and some renewed defensive authority. Derby County had one shot, from Malcolm Christie. Fabien Barthez saved it brilliantly.

The teamsheet and match programme, as usual, brought as much anticipation as the game itself.

Beckham's continued absence was the news from the dressing room, but Ferguson spared no one in his notes either.

"I have no intention of allowing a lifetime's work to go to waste," wrote Ferguson dramatically. He concluded by saying last night was about United beating "our own demons".

An angel will always be of assistance in such a task and Solskjaer fulfils that role for United.

The baby-faced one was included alongside the recalled Van Nistelrooy and with his first two touches Solkjaer justified that decision.

Van Nistelrooy had already had a couple of sighters to get the crowd going when United attacked again down the left.

Then, from Mikael Silvestre's sixth-minute cross Solskjaer firstly controlled the ball on his chest, waited for it to drop and then bypassed Andy Oakes with a sharp left-foot volley.

Four minutes later and Solskjaer was again involved. With Derby committed forward optimistically, United broke away at speed. When Solskjaer received possession on the left of the Derby box, he curled a low centre around the back of the Derby defence. Waiting for it at the far post was Keane, who finished calmly, his first goal of the season.

United left for the interval to a standing ovation and the applause continued into the second half, with Scholes forcing Oakes into a scrambled save from the midfielder's volley.

That, however, was followed by United's first real defensive lapse. Fabrizio Ravanelli won the ball on the right and when he delivered a tempting centre all the United defenders and goalkeeper refused the bait until Gary Neville got down on his knees to head the ball for a corner.

John O'Shea, the 20-year-old centre-half lauded by the crowd during the first half, was given a little reminder by Keane after that.

Keane's next action was equally purposeful. Taking a quick free-kick to Scholes, Keane set in motion the third goal. From Scholes it went to Van Nistelrooy and when his shot was parried by Oakes, Solskjaer was there to poke in his second from five yards.

Five minutes later Solskjaer repaid the Dutchman, Van Nistelrooy converting Solskjaer's pass to make it four. "United are back," sang the Stretford End.

And just to convince them Scholes popped up in the 89th minute to chalk up United's biggest win of the season. The fightback has started.

"It's a very welcome result for us and a good performance. There was a lot of speed about our play and a great commitment from the players," said a relieved Ferguson after the game.

"I was very pleased about that and the foundation of any successful side is hunger. It's only a start and we have a long way to go, but at least winning 5-0 at home is a terrific result.

"We're in a precarious position in terms of the league title and indeed it would take a football miracle for us to do it. But let me say loud and clear that that does not mean Manchester United have given up."

MANCHESTER UTD: Barthez (Carroll 83), G Neville, Blanc, O'Shea, Silvestre, Scholes, Keane, Veron, Butt, Solskjaer, van Nistelrooy (Yorke 79). Subs not used: Phil Neville, Beckham, Irwin. Booked: Scholes. Goals: Solskjaer 6, Keane 10, Solskjaer 58, van Nistelrooy 63, Scholes 89.

DERBY: Oakes, Riggott, Grenet, Higginbotham, Mawene (Burton 64), Zavagno, Carbone, Ducrocq (Murray 74), Bolder, Christie (Boertien 70), Ravanelli. Subs not used: Grant, Kinkladze. Booked: Higginbotham, Ducrocq.

Referee: M Halsey (Welwyn Garden City).