WHEN this performance is put into perspective, there is only one word to describe it ... frightening.

If Manchester United can do this to another Premiership team with what virtually amounts to a reserve side, then they might as well inscribe their name on the trophy now.

As humbled Bradford City boss Chris Hutchings said: "That brought us down to earth after our result against Chelsea.

"Any team that finishes above Manchester United this season will win the title -- but I don't think you need look any further than out there tonight."

The 11 that started the game for United included no Jaap Stam or Dennis Irwin, no Paul Scholes, Roy Keane or Ryan Giggs and no Dwight Yorke.

But the players who came in to replace them -- Ronnie Wallwork, Mickael Silvestre, Jonathan Greening, Teddy Sheringham and Quinton Fortune -- were simply outstanding.

If Giggs was not in such tremendous form at the moment two-goal Fortune would surely hold down his place in the side. Likewise Silvestre, who filled at left back for Irwin, a man United will have to replace before long.

Indeed, Silvestre provided one of the highlights of this match with a delightful 60-yard pass that set up Sheringham for his first goal in the 71st minute.

Wallwork was solid at the back alongside a commanding Ronny Johnsen, who made Stam's unavailability immaterial.

United will have all their stars back and available for next week's European Champions League opener against Anderlecht at Old Trafford.

And one thing was obvious from last night's performance -- United were stung by their Champions League defeat at the hands of Real Madrid in last season's quarter finals and they aim to make amends.

They look to have added a dimension to their game, notably passing, technique and the ability to hold on to the ball for sustained periods.

That's something the Europeans, and Real in particular, do so well. Now it's up to United to show they can really match them this time.

Andy Cole opened the scoring in the 11th minute with a lobbed shot that deflected off Bradford defender Peter Atherton and over goalkeeper Matt Clarke.

Fortune scored the second in the 23rd minute after Cole missed Sherringham's low cross and he added his second and United's third in the 60th minute with a glorious left-footed shot from the edge of the area that was simply unstoppable.

Sherringham's first came next and his second followed 10 minutes later after 81 minutes with an emphatic far post header from Greening's cross.

David Beckham rounded off the scoring after some neat interplay with Sherringham and a sweet shot that crashed passed Clarke from distance.

Manchester United: Barthez, G Neville, Johnsen, Wallwork, Silvestre, Beckham, Butt, Greening, Sherringham, Cole, Fortune. Subs: Solskjaer (for Cole) 63 mins), P Neville (for Johnsen 66 mins), Scholes (for Butt 72 mins).

Not used: Van Der Gouw, Giggs. Ref: Mr R Harris (Oxford). Attendance 67,447.