MANCHESTER UNITED 4 SUNDERLAND 0
The Norwegian`s brace was the backbone of United`s 4-0 romp, with Nicky Butt and Henning Berg also on the scoresheet. All three players had been drafted into the side with Sir Alex Ferguson resting several of his big-name stars ahead of the Real Madrid match on Wednesday.
A defensive lapse by Darren Williams let in Solskjaer for the early opener as he rounded Thomas Sorensen to claim the first Premiership goal of the day. Although the visitors regained their composure to match United in many departments, the former Molde man was on hand again, seven minutes into the second half, to kill off Peter Reid`s hopes of getting anything out of the game.
Great control from Solskjaer allowed the sharp-shooter to pick his spot and drill the ball past Sorensen, and he would have had a hat-trick late on, but his spectacular attempt was superbly saved by the Danish keeper.
Butt, who scored in the corresponding fixture at the Stadium of Light to rescue a point for United, blasted into the roof of the net after neatly biding his time inside the box. David Beckham, on as a substitute, had crossed for Solskjaer to tee up the opportunity.
The Black Cats` defence was in complete disarray when Berg pounced to hook the ball past Sorensen, who had mishandled a Beckham cross, after Niall Quinn made a hash of a completed clearance. Ferguson`s side have now set a record for goals scored during a single season in The Premiership.
The most controversial event of the first half occurred when Kevin Phillips was hauled down by Jaap Stam when he threatened to breakaway. To the relief of the big Dutchman he was only booked, at a time when he could have easily been given his marching orders.
The only black spot on United`s afternoon was the substitution of goalkeeper Mark Bosnich at half time, with Raimond van der Gouw entering the fray. Bosnich`s constant hamstring worry may be causing Ferguson a couple of sleepless nights, ahead of Wednesday`s Champions League encounter, when Real Madrid will be expected to provide a sterner test for the Treble winners.
After the game United boss Alex Ferguson said: "The game was more important for our own supporters, it was a good atmosphere and it was more difficult than the scoreline suggested.
"They kept us pegged back for long periods and Quinn was absolutely marvellous, he`s always a handful.
