Bradford City 0, Manchester United 4; Richard Sutcliffe reports from Valley Parade.

After watching his side chalk up their second four-goal victory of the season over Bradford City, Sir Alex Ferguson offered words of consolation for the battling Bantams.

Despite more than matching the European Cup winners for the opening half-hour, City were well beaten by a side which are, quite frankly, head and shoulders above the rest of the Premiership.

A double from Dwight Yorke inside three first half minutes had effectively sealed the game before goals from Paul Scholes and David Beckham underlined United's supremacy.

Ferguson was delighted with his side's display before offering consoling words to a City side which had lost 4-0 for the second successive week.

The United boss said: "It was difficult for Bradford. Despite all the heart they have and the spirit they have got, they came up against a really good team today. It was just one of those days for us. My team is coming to the boil now and we are finding the form of last season."

City boss Paul Jewell praised his side for making United sweat in that opening half-hour before admitting: "I don't think we will play a better team this season and the cream came to the top today.

"Clearly I'm disappointed by the scoreline but I can't fault my players for the effort they put in.

"I felt sorry for my players in the second half because at 2-0 down and against some of the best players in the world it was difficult. I am just glad the game is over."

The scoreline may have mirrored the one City were beaten by at Coventry a week earlier but it was a hugely improved performance from Jewell's men.

City have impressed at home this season and Ferguson had obviously noted that both Arsenal and Newcastle had left Valley Parade empty-handed this season.

Leeds were also fortunate to beat the Bantams two weeks earlier so Ferguson paid Jewell's side the ultimate compliment by unleashing all his big guns at Valley Parade.

The £19 million strike force of Dwight Yorke and Andy Cole were re-united up front while David Beckham and Ryan Giggs returned on either flank.

Roy Keane and Paul Scholes were also paired together in the centre of midfield and the United team-sheet made impressive reading before the game.

Despite this, City were determined not to stand on ceremony and from the first whistle they tore into their illustrious visitors.

It took just 109 seconds for United to receive their first scare of the afternoon when Peter Beagrie's swerving shot was dropped by Mark Bosnich.

Unfortunately for the Ban-tams, the Aussie goalkeeper's fumble evaded Dean Windass by inches. Seven minutes later, Beagrie's ball into the area found the former Oxford man but United's defence managed to get across to block his shot.

Jewell had decided to deploy Windass alongside Stuart McCall in place of Gareth Whalley in the hope the pair could help disrupt United's star-studded midfield.

And in that opening half-hour it worked a treat with the Reds not managing a shot on target until the 30-minute mark when Yorke's header was saved by Matt Clarke.

The summer signing's return in place of Aidan Davison raised the biggest cheer of the day from the home fans and he justified the welcome back from injury with a fine display.

However he could do nothing about United's first and second goals when Yorke effectively ended the game as a contest.

First, the Trinidad striker rose to meet Beckham's wonderfully flighted corner in the 37th minute before his clever chip doubled that lead just three minutes later.

And the United striker would have had one of the fastest hat-tricks of all time if Clarke had not denied him with a wonderful save which was sandwiched between both goals.

Clarke also went on to pull off some fine saves after the break and his return is a huge boost for the Bantams' survival bid.

Windass' switch to midfield also allowed Jorge Cadete to make his first start for City but despite some timely blocks, he again failed to impress.

During his time at Celtic it was in the penalty area where he was at his most dangerous, but for much of this encounter he was anonymous. And if City are to get the best out of the Portuguese striker then he must get into the area where he can sniff out the goals needed to beat the drop.

Once Yorke had put United ahead, it was the signal for the Reds to take control of midfield with Roy Keane a big driving force.

Ryan Giggs also used his pace well down the left but it was Beckham who stole the show with a wonderful display.

He spent the opening 20 minutes playing through the centre and, as a result, United did not have the correct balance.

But once he moved to the right flank, Beckham was able to make use of the space created by the intelligent running of the likes of Yorke, who continually dragged Andy O'Brien and Jacobs all over the field.

The much-maligned wideman created the third goal with a wonderful corner which was inch-perfect for Paul Scholes' majestic volley into the corner of the net.

And then he rounded off a fine afternoon by netting the fourth and final goal with just ten minutes remaining.

The biggest consolation came for City at the final whistle with Derby's two-goal defeat at Aston Villa meaning the pair are still separated by just two points.

And City boss Jewell admitted the fight for survival is between just two clubs.

He said: "Derby lost and so did Sheffield Wednesday. People ask me what my points target is, but I think what we have to do is get one more than Derby - whether that be 30 or 40 points."

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