Nani the star of Reds’ stroll

MAN UTD 2, WEST HAM 0

CRISTIANO RONALDO was afforded a standing ovation by the Old Trafford faitfhful during the pre-match presentation of his World Player of the Year Award, so it was only fitting that his goal-poaching instincts should earn Manchester United three vital points.

But if the Portuguese star, courted by Spanish giants Real Madrid throughout the summer, is to leave for warmer climes at the end of this season, then at least the Reds have a ready-made replacement on their books.

Ronaldo’s compatriot, Nani, exploited the acres of space afforded to him on the left, supplying Ronaldo with the pass from which he opened the scoring and torturing the Hammers defence with a series of mazy dribbles and deft touches.

Ronaldo made it 2-0 when he prodded home from close range after an exquisite party trick from an otherwise-quiet Dimitar Berbatov, but - goals apart - was a peripheral figure as Nani and the dymanic Darren Fletcher grabbed the game by the scruff of the neck.

The Hammers, who were suffering their fourth defeat in a row under new boss Gianfranco Zola, played some decent football at times, but failed to close down United when the Reds were in possession, making this a comfortable night for Sir Alex Ferguson’s side following Saturday’s physical battle at Everton.

Ferguson made five changes to the team which drew 1-1 on Merseyside, resting goalkeeper Edwin van der Saar - celebrating his 38th birthday - in favour of Tomasz Kuszczak, and leaving in-form Wayne Rooney on the bench as Carlos Tevez was given a chance in attack.

Rafael Da Silva, Anderson and Nani provided the other changes in personnel, but the Reds machine took little time to click into gear and Ronaldo’s 14th-minute opener had a sense of inevitability about it as the Hammers’ midfield shield was bypassed with ease.

Ronaldo’s finish from Nani’s slide-rule cross was clinical and unerring, but he had less to do to double United’s lead 15 minutes later following Berbatov’s flash of brilliance to beat James Collins on the by-line.

United wasted several chances to extend their lead before half-time and, such was their dominance, that the vast majority of the 75,397 spectators at Old Trafford anticipated a second-half landslide.

Surprisingly, no goals materialised thanks to some wayward finishing from the Reds and a failure by the rejuvenated visitors to make the most of a number of promising attacks.

Ronaldo had a clear chance to complete his hat-trick, but shot straight at goalkeeper Robert Green, while the introduction of the livewire Rooney brought fresh impetus, if no end product, to the United attack.

As time ran out, the Reds were quite content to coast to three points which keep them in touch with Liverpool and Chelsea at the business end of the Premier League table.

And there was the bonus of midfield man Michael Carrick’s brief return to action following an ankle injury.

That said, he will need to find his very best form if he is to oust the vastly-improved Fletcher as United’s playmaker. Nani apart, the Scot was United’s most influential player and fully justified the glowing praise heaped on him by Ferguson this week.