United take stroll down easy street

Panathinaikos did so in a desperate attempt to secure a consolation goal. They failed. United did so in order to rest players ahead of Sunday's Old Trafford clash against Arsenal in the Premiership.

The last time United scored so freely in a Champions League game was against Real Madrid in last season's quarterfinal second leg. That was a genuine contest that ended 4-3 to United. This was anything but and perhaps United's first attack after only 28 seconds served as a stark indication of what was to come.

Gary Neville advanced down the right to deliver a low cross that should not have troubled the Greeks. But as two defenders allowed the ball to pass, Ruud van Nistelrooy crept in to head narrowly wide at the far post.

It was tempting to believe the Greeks were taking time to wake up. But they never did and United had a 2-0 lead after 15 minutes.

A low drive from Phil Neville brought a clumsy save from goalkeeper Antonis Nikopolidis in the 13th minute and when Ryan Giggs, captain for the night, swung the resulting corner to the six-yard box, Mikael Silvestre arrived untracked to head the ball against Van Nistelrooy and then smash it into the net.

That first Champions League goal of United's season helped to settle Ferguson's team. Missing the likes of Paul Scholes and Roy Keane, this was an under-strength side that featured Phil Neville at the centre of midfield and Quinton Fortune on the left.

Some supporters might have preferred to see teenager Cristiano Ronaldo in that position, especially after his efforts in the weekend win at Charlton, but Fortune made a crucial contribution within two minutes of Silvestre's opening goal. Again it was a cross from the right that unsettled Panathinaikos and Fortune crashed in a left-foot shot from just inside the penalty area after the ball had been only half cleared.

There was no way back for the visitors and, as their concentration and confidence disappeared, United took advantage in clinical fashion.

Rene Henriksen was lucky not to be embarrassed after giving Van Nistelrooy possession in the 19th minute but, shortly after, the humiliation belonged to goalkeeper Nikopolidis.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer connected well enough with Giggs' low centre but how Nikopolidis allowed the ball to slither beneath him remains a mystery. Nikopolidis confessed to a desire to play in the Premiership in the match programme. But in the wake of this performance he cannot expect any calls. He was replaced at the interval and it was little wonder.

United scored their fourth when Nicky Butt rose unchecked to head in John O'Shea's cross five minutes before half-time and, predictably, the second half was boring.

Substitute Eric Djemba Djemba scored his first United goal in the closing stages as he converted a Gary Neville cross at the far post, but there was little else of note.

Panathinaikos could not wait to get off at the end of the match. It had been a wasted journey.

No easy games in the Champions League? Don't you believe it.