On paper this looked like it could have been another tough game. Bolton started the day in third, just 2 points behind United and unbeaten at home. They are also capable of taking points from any team on their day and are not to be taken lightly. United, however, made it look easy.
After waiting since the first day of the season for a Rooney goal, three came along at once. He had suffered a brief loss of form but had been improving with every game so it was only a matter of time before he got on the score sheet. Ronaldo also scored, returning to the side after recovering from flu.
This was probably the strongest XI United could field and the way in which they dominated for large spells and won by such a comfortable margin is very encouraging. Still top of the table after 10 games and 23 goals scored in the league. The only down side was Evra being stretchered off after a great start to the season.
Next up FC Copenhagen and a chance to qualify for the next stage of the Champions League.
This proved to be a tricky fixture, with Crewe coming close to causing an upset. United fielded a team of youngsters and senior players and suffered from a combination of inexperience and lack of match fitness. United did take the lead in the first half thanks yet again to Solskjaer, equalling Saha as United's top scorer this season. Crewe came back stronger in the second half and equalising midway through and unlucky not to get a winner. The fixture went to extra time and was minutes away from penalties when substitute Kieran Lee latched onto Smith's through ball to score.
So another 2 goals to add to the 'missing Ruud' column and Southend in the next round.
This was one of those rare games where I'd have settled for the winning goal being deflected off O'Shea's arse in injury time. The fact that it was a convincing and deserved win is a bonus, especially after Liverpool were being touted as champions elect and United were meant to struggle for fourth this season, if you believed what was written in the press.
Rooney failed to break his duck since returning from his early suspension even though he was tipped as first goal scorer. Scholes playing his 500th game for the club proved to have the fates on his side and got his first league goal in nearly a year. Barring the first 10 minutes, United dominated and it was a great team effort. Fletcher continues to improve in every game this season and is showing the form that is making many re-appraise his abilities. Vidic and Evra, after finally finding match fitness and settling in look solid in defence, with Evra looking dangerous whenever he ventured forward. Carrick is still struggling to fit in but made some important tackles today and with his link up play showed glimpses of his potential. Saha was a constant threat and unlucky not to add at least one to his tally.
After Rio and Neville exchanged angry words during the game, you could bet that Rio would be making the headlines by the time the game had finished. Rather than it being a lapse in concentration giving the opposition the advantage, it was a finely taken goal that any striker would be proud to add to their collection.
Given the supposed quality of the opposition and the fear that their midfied would dictate the game, this was a fantastic result and sets down the marker that the press so eagerly asked for prior to kick-off. 26 goals already scored, and while that doesn't automatically guarantee success, United fans are in no position to complain just yet.
Wednesday sees United take on Crewe in the Carling Cup. An interesting game as Crewe are a quality side and this will be a run out for many fringe and youth players hoping to impress.
No change in the missing Ruud column but still a triple whammy as Scholes, O'Shea and Richardson add their first goals to the graph. Couldn't really ask for more although Saha was guilty of missing good chances and the Copenhagen keeper was outstanding in keeping the total down. Rooney finally looks like he's finding the form of last year and it's only a matter of time before he adds to his current total. A little bird suggests that a bet on first scorer on Sunday might be prudent.
It seems the press are slowly being convinced that the sale of Ruud may have in fact improved United despite their reservations before the start of the season as this from the Guardian suggests. 17 goals scored in the Premiership compared to 10 at this stage last season and already 4 Champions League goals better than last season's total. Incidentally, Ruud did score for Madrid last night but if you want his totals, make your own blimmin' graph.
What initially looked like being a frustrating day turned into one of celebration. Not only did Saha score yet again to continue his good run of form but Vidic got his first for the club and Ole managed yet another goal. The legend seems determined to single handedly fill that missing Ruud column.
2 more to add to the total, 3 points and still top of the table. This calls for a drink.
A little disappointing with the goal tally, given that this is normally a high scoring game but you can't be disappointed with Ole getting, not one but, two more goals.
Two more for the 'missing Ruud' column, thank you very much.
Not quite as free scoring as the previous two outings but both Giggs and Silvestre score, with Tweety equalling last season's tally. Not completely useless then.
United's good start continues with Saha adding another to his total, Fletcher equalling last season's record and Solskjaer scoring since returning from a long injury after it was feared he may never play again.
An important day as we see the first contribution to the 'missing Ruud?' column.
United get off to a flyer with Rooney (2), Saha and Ronaldo all getting onto the score sheet. After a poor showing of only 3 from Own Goal last season, it was good to see him open his account early.
Back at the start of the season, the big question that was being asked by Manchester United fans was, after the sale of Ruud van Nistelrooy, with no new striker replacing him, where exactly were the goals going to come from?
In a moment of Dave Gorman inspired madness, I came up with a graph that would show this season's targets, comparing them with last season's performance. Quite simply, each player had to better last season's goal tally and for every goal above this that they scored, they would contribute to the 'missing Ruud' column.
Originally these graphs appeared on the Manchester United forum on the AfterHoursFC message board but due to an administrive error, let's call him Neil, the post has now be confined to the bowels of cyberspace, never to be seen again. So, I thought, why not stick it up on blogspot, where the many fans who have recently been missing their bar charts and graphs can pop in and track United's progress over the coming season. All two of them.
Ladies and gentleman, I present for you, the new and improved Ruudometer.
