Ronaldo scored his and United’s first after 14 minutes when he converted an inch perfect cross from fellow Portuguese international Luis Nani. He then added a second from 2 yards after a mesmerizing piece of skill by Berbatov on the goal line allowing him to cross for Ronaldo to slide into an empty net.

United were dominant from the first whistle with Berbatov having the first opening of the game in the second minute, but he could only blast over from a Nani pull-back. Three minutes later Nani sent a powerful shot flashing just wide of Robert Green’s far post.

United were continuing to cause problems down the left hand side and it wasn’t long before they were rewarded. Ronaldo found the net after 14 minutes when he was picked out by a pin-point cross from Nani. The world player of the year even managed a smile to the delight the United fans.

United looked hungry and continued to press down the left hand side. Two minutes later Nani dummied past Behrami but again his shot went inches wide of the far post. On the half hour mark Berbatov produced an amazing piece of skill with an exquisite flick and  cross for Ronaldo to slide in from 2 yards.

West Ham brought on Luis Boa Morte for Behrami just before half time. A minute later Tevez got in between the West Ham defence only to header straight at Green. West Ham made their second change before the start of the second half when Etherington was replaced by Welsh teenager Jack Collison.

United’s dominance continued into the second half with Ronaldo shooting straight at Green from distance seven minutes after the restart. He then producing a cheeky flick past a West Ham defender to cross for Tevez. Tevez matched Ronaldo’s skill with a fantastic turn in the box only for his shot to be blocked and go out for a corner.

West Ham managed a rare attempt on goal on the hour mark when Bellamy sent a free kick over Kuszczak’s crossbar from outside the area. They then had a penalty claim waved away two minutes later as Collison was brought down in the area. He was booked for fouling Patrice Evra to add to the annoyance of the travelling fans.

After 67 minutes West Ham replaced Lee Bowyer with teenager Freddie Sears as United made a double change. Darren Fletcher came off for Michael Carrick whilst Nani was replaced by Wayne Rooney who didn’t waste any time getting into the game. His delicate chip was tipped over by Green two minutes later.

West Ham then fashioned their best chance of the game when Boa Morte had a shot saved by Kuszczak in the United area. Rooney then tried his luck from outside the area only to be denied once more by Green with 15 minutes to go. United then made their last change with veteran Gary Neville replacing youngster Rafael for the final ten minutes.

Ronaldo was denied his hat-trick in the last two minutes when Evra cut a cross back but he could only shoot straight at Green. In the end it was a comfortable win for United as they moved up to sixth in the table.

Was Ronaldo’s smile genuine? Will he be a United player next season? Send us your comments.

Spain winning Euro 2008 has pushed our reputation as underachievers further down the lav. And like such great philosophical musings as; Why are we here? Is there a god?

Will Robbie Savage ever get a haircut? We are left with the greatest question of all; With all the money, loyal fans, young talents….why can’t we win anything?

Like many who saw our demise at the hands of Croatia, there was almost a mild sense of relief by the fact that we had escaped the usual blind optimism forthcoming whenever we do manage to qualify for a major tournament.

For the first time since the notorious turnip-ridden back pages of 94, we were able to enjoy the beautiful game with fingernails intact.

But again WHY? Some blame player egos, foreign takeovers, the need for immediate financial returns because of high wages and signing fees….

Are there too many foreigners in the Premier League? Is it stopping the young talents emerging? Would we benefit from a foreign player restriction rule?

Michel Platini recently stoked the fire by saying Manchester United and Chelsea had reached the Champions League final on the ‘never, never’ regarding their success based on debts. If this is the truth then what are some of the latest solutions?

Platini called for Champions League football not to include the buy now pay later vein of clubs, but where would that leave us? Who wants to watch the greatest club football competition without the greatest football clubs?

Should there be caps on player wages and values? The price of players has rocketed over the last 10 years. Compare Alan Shearer’s £15m transfer to Newcastle in the summer of 1996 with the current prospect of Cristiano Ronaldo joining Manchester City for a speculated £135m.

To buy the current cream of the crop, it’s now necessary to have an owner with pockets of Gran Canyon depths and with suitably long arms to reach the bottoms.

As it stands, like a dog with rabies, the circle seems to be growing ever more vicious. Best brace ourselves for another 42 years of hurt.