Off the mark| Rooney gives Manchester United the lead from the penalty spot

Manchester United began the second in the same way the first had finished and just five minutes into the half they doubled their lead through Nani. A ball into Rooney from Fletcher was neatly flicked by the England striker into the path of the Portuguese winger who jinked inside Gabbidon before firing past green from the edge of the penalty area

The home side were now playing some very attractive fast paced football and three minutes later Rooney had the chance to double his tally for the match after another flowing move.  Flecther played a ball into Nani who in turn found Berbatov, the Bulgarian flicked the ball into the path of Rooney but as he got to the edge of area and was about to unleash his shot Gabbidon produced a fantastic challenge to deny the striker.

West Ham had begun the second half very defensively but the second Manchester United goal appeared to spark them into life and in the 56th minute they created their best chance of the match through Kieron Dyer. Cole played a pass into Julien Faubert who flicked the ball into the path of Dyer but his right foot shot hit the outside of Van Der Sar’s left hand post.

However six minutes later the home side created another chance, this time for Scholes from 18 yards. Patrice Evra made a good run down the left wing before delivering a low cross into Berbatov at the back post, the Bulgarian touched the ball into Scholes but his low shot was straight at Green who saved easily.

Manchester United extended their lead in the 69th minute through Berbatov after yet another flowing move from the home side. Fletcher found John O’Shea in space on the right wing; the Irish full back rolled the ball into Nani inside the penalty area before chipping a cross to the back post where an acrobatic volley by Berbatov fired the ball into the back of the net.

With five minutes of the match remaining West Ham created the final chance of the match which they were again unable to take. Scott Parker made a good run down the left wing before playing a neat pass inside to substitute Pablo Barrera. But the Mexico international couldn’t get the ball out from under his feet and his shot sailed harmlessly over the bar from the edge of the penalty area.