Red-hot Ruud floors Rangers

He called for drive and determination and, with Neville and Roy Keane pulling hard at the reins, they responded accordingly. Neville and Keane were magnificent against a Rangers side that again lacked the necessary aggression to compete with their illustrious opponents, who dominated midfield in a fashion that suggests Nicky Butt could continue to find it easier to represent his country than he does his club.

For Ferguson, too, this must have been particularly satisfying. Who would emerge triumphant between the champions of England and Scotland was never in doubt, but two victories for a Scotsman who is still scarred by his exit from Ibrox as a player will always be a pleasure.

For McLeish, it would have been less so, and not just because he returns to Scotland with a record that, until last night, belonged to his friend and mentor. Ferguson came into this match as the manager of the last Scottish side to lose a European tie on English soil - a 4 - 0 defeat for Aberdeen at Liverpool on Bonfire Night in 1980. Stuttgart's defeat of Panathinaikos in the corresponding Group E fixture puts Rangers in a precarious position, one that leaves them needing to win away to the impressive Germans as well as conquer the Greeks in their final game of the opening round.

Judging by their performances against United, that will not be easy. This crop of Rangers players are short of the quality required to succeed at this level. It made McLeish's decision to deploy Peter Lovenkrands on the right all the more perplexing after he had proved so effective when switched to the left in the previous contest.

Rangers conceded an early goal, with Forlan scoring from a wonderful volley after Roy Keane's cross had been directed into the path of the Uruguayan by Michael Ball's wayward header. Michael Mols threatened briefly for Rangers, but so dominant-were Keane and Neville that a second goal looked inevitable. Even with a fifth man packed into midfield, the visitors offered little fight. The United pair were indomitable.

Keane was playing magnificently, sending Giggs clear with a terrific pass that, had it not been for Ball's goal-line clearance, would have resulted in that second goal, and when Lovenkrands did test the hosts, the ubiquitous Keane and Neville were again in attendance. Neville timed the tackle to perfection and Keane picked up the stray ball before launching yet another attack.

Keane twice threatened to score before turning provider. He picked up Tim Howard's quickly-taken throw and sparked the move that concluded with Van Nistelrooy's first goal shortly before the break.

The ball was transferred rapidly from Keane to Forlan and then Cristiano Ronaldo, whose cross was knocked back into the danger area by Giggs. The ball fell to Forlan and the South American striker again excelled, spinning before unleashing a shot that rebounded off the bar, struck Van Nistelrooy on the knee and crossed the line. Van Nistelrooy knew little about it, yet it did show that he and Forlan could yet form an effective partnership.

After the break, Rangers tested Howard with a free-kick from Ball, only to see Van Nistelrooy increase United's lead on the hour when he met a Giggs free-kick with a welltimed run and finish.

It was Van Nistelrooy's 11th goal of the season, emphasising how ludicrous it is that Dick Advocaat remains determined to ignore a player of such talent for Holland's Euro 2004 play- off games against Scotland later this month.