Time to hoist the white flag

The open-top bus has not been booked just yet, but it is surely just a question of time. Manchester United have finally come to the boil and those with the audacity to challenge their authority are in danger of getting their fingers burned.

With Bradford's ashen-faced players still attempting to catch their breath from this clinical act of destruction, the natural assumption on witnessing United is that the rest of the Premiership should hoist the white flag.

Real Madrid had infiltrators in west Yorkshire and their verdict will prompt much consternation ahead of Real's Champions League quarter-final clash with United on Wednesday week. Not only are United fast approaching their exhilarating best, but Dwight Yorke will be available after all, while David Beckham is reproducing the irrepressible form that marks him out as the finest natural footballer in England bar none.

This was Beckham's best performance this season, scoring one and being an accomplice to the other three. The barracking that had accompanied his every touch was replaced by a hushed anxiety every time his right boot caressed the ball. Ryan Giggs was applauded off when he was substituted. And when Paul Scholes lashed in a sumptuous right-foot volley from Beckham's expertly-placed corner, it was a gasp of incredulity that engulfed Valley Parade.

Scholes's contender for goal of the season was the piece de resistance in a match which had started sluggishly for the champions-elect before a quick one-two late in the first half from Yorke rendered the outcome a foregone conclusion.

For Bradford, there are two morals. First that it is no disgrace to lose so heavily to a team of United's immense resources and second, Jorge Cadete is about as much use in a relegation scrap as Alan Ball.

Whether they can haul themselves out of the quicksand depends on how they fare in the next three home games against Southampton, Derby and Wimbledon.

Bradford: Clarke, Halle (Sharpe 58), Wetherall, O'Brien, Jacobs, Lawrence, McCall, Windass, Beagrie, Saunders, Cadete (Blake 70). Subs Not Used: Westwood, Dreyer, Davison.

Manchester Utd: Bosnich, G Neville, Berg, Silvestre, P Neville, Beckham, Keane (Wallwork 75), Scholes, Giggs (Solskjaer 82), Cole, Yorke. Subs Not Used: Van Der Gouw, Butt, Sheringham. Booked: Beckham. Goals: Yorke 37, 40, Scholes 71, Beckham 79.

Referee: G Poll (Tring).