Giggs and Nani also on target in one-sided affair
Manchester United swept Birmingham City aside with a devastating display of attacking football at Old Trafford.
Dimitar Berbatov opened the scoring in just the second minute and from there it was cruise control, the Bulgarian adding another soon after and Ryan Giggs making it 3-0 just before half time.
The second half continued in similar vein, Berbatov crashing home his third before Nani completed the rout of a hapless Birmingham side.
For United, Chris Smalling was drafted in for centre-back Rio Ferdinand after the England captain picked up a groin strain. The only other change to the side that drew 0-0 at Tottenham Hotspur last weekend was the inclusion of Anderson from the start in place of Darren Fletcher.
Veteran midfielder Paul Scholes was handed a spot on the substitute’s bench for the first time in over a month after a groin injury. He was joined by striker Michael Owen as he continued his rehabiliation from a hamstring tear picked up last March.
Visiting boss Alex McLeish gave a surprise call-up to youngster Jordon Mutch in place of Craig Gardner in the only change to the team that drew 1-1 with Aston Villa. Cameron Jerome was fit for a place on the sidelines after he missed the Birmingham derby.
The hosts instantly got on the front foot and went ahead in the second minute through Berbatov. The Bulgarian nodded in on the goal line after John O'Shea flicked on a Nani corner.
United had the bit between their teeth and were handed a chance to double their lead after a panicked clearance from former player Ben Foster in the fifth minute rebounded invitingly off Berbatov. The goalkeeper redeemed himself with a fine save before Michael Carrick eventually shot narrowly wide.
United caused chaos from corners in the early stages and Smalling was inches away from finding the back of the net in the 10th minute. The giant England U21 international was beaten at the back post by Stephen Carr after Ryan Giggs stood up a cross.
The ball was in the back of the net again five minutes later through Nemanja Vidic but referee Michael Jones had already blown for pushes from Wayne Rooney and Smalling at yet another corner.
Birmingham finally mounted their first attack of the half in the 25th minute. Edwin van der Sar was alert to punch away a David Bentley cross before Keith Fahey sliced a shot wide from the rebound.
The visitors had finally dragged themselves into the match but their fightback was extinguished by Berbatov on 31 minutes after a slack error from Liam Ridgewell. The makeshift centre-back gave the ball away to Anderson on the half-way line, and Rooney then fed in Berbatov to fire in a low drive after he shimmied past the backtracking Roger Johnson.
There was no-sign of a let up from United and substitute Gibson - who replaced the injured Carrick in the 24th minute - produced a fine save from Foster with a trademark long-range drive in the 39th minute. A lightning quick counter attack which followed a Birmingham penalty shout for a handball from John O'Shea moments later saw Ryan Giggs' effort deflect wide off Mutch.
As the clocked ticked into injury time, Giggs wasn't to be denied again as he put United into a half-time 3-0 lead. The Welshman slotted into the roof of the net after Rooney picked him out on the back post after Berbatov had won the ball on the flank from an uncharacteristic slide tackle.
United showed no sign of relenting at the start of the second half and Rooney missed the simplest of chances to head in the fourth. The out-of-sorts striker nodded wide on the goal line from a Nani cross when it looked easier to score.
Rooney wasn't able to find the back of the net but he played a pivotal role in the 53rd minute whenBerbatov completed his third hat-trick of the campaign. His perfect control after he trapped Van der Sar's punted clearance saw him play in Giggs to set up the Bulgarian with a simple goal from another low cross.
The Welshman was granted an applause-laden exit moments later as he was substituted for Owen. On this form, it is clear to see why no eyebrows have been raised at the impending decision to grant the 37-year-old maestro a fresh contract extension.
Fahey was then to spurn a golden opportunity for Birmingham in the 58th minute to save face when he somehow produced an air shot when Bentley's attempt spun to him unopposed on the back stick.
The miss summed up an afternoon to forget for McLeish as his charges slumped to an increasingly listless defeat. The Scot was left with several tough questions to ask of his squad as they showed an alarming weakness not apparent last term.
United quickly regained control of the match and almost added to their opponents' misery in the 68th minute. A fine long ball from Smalling - reminiscent of Ferdinand - found Berbatov, who then blazed wide after some incisive interplay with Nani.
Nani had endured a frustrating afternoon in front of goal but his wait to find the back of the net ended in the 75th minute. The Portuguese used his sharp footwork to work some space and left Foster with no chance from 20 yards.
Nani continued to be at the centre of proceedings and his cross was lifted over by Rooney two minutes later. Owen then repeated the trick when played in by the onrushing Anderson on 80 minutes.
United remained in cruise control until referee Jones ended the demolition job on Birmingham and blew the final whistle. If Saturday afternoon’s relentless performance was repeated in the final months of the season, an omnipotent stroll to a record breaking 19th-title could ensue.
http://www.goal.com/en/match/48953/man-utd-vs-birmingham/report
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