Wayne Rooney and Nani both scored twice as Manchester United gave the perfect response to their Champions League exit with a commanding win over Wolves.
Nani cut inside from the left and blasted the opener into the corner before Rooney made it 2-0 with a low drive from the edge of the area.
Steven Fletcher gave Wolves a lifeline with a header just after half-time.
But United hit back with Antonio Valencia setting up Nani for a tap-in and crossing for Rooney to rifle home.
United put their miserable surrender in Basel behind them in a display brimming with positive intent and attacking verve.
And in the week when Rooney's three-match England ban was reduced to two by Uefa, the striker ended an eight-game Premier League goal drought with two authoritative finishes.
Ferguson's tactics paid off as well, with Phil Jones producing a confident attacking performance alongside Michael Carrick in midfield and Valencia - brought in at Ashley Young's expense - proving a constant threat on the right wing.
The victory ensured United closed the gap on Premier League leaders Manchester City to two points, with Roberto Mancini's side heading to Chelsea on Monday.
The game might have taken a different course had Fletcher not sliced wide after being teed up in space on the edge of the box in the first minute.
United soon settled into their rhythm, with Valencia enjoying plenty of space down the right and crossing for Carrick, whose diving header flew just over the bar.
Carrick then played a ball inside the right-back for Rooney, whose shot from a tight angle was sharply saved by Wayne Hennessey.
Moments later, Nani cut in from the left hand side before unleashing a powerful shot into the corner from 20 yards.
The second goal arrived in similar fashion, with Rooney this time darting across the edge of the box and smashing a shot through a crowd of players past an unsighted Hennessey.
Wolves got themselves back in the game shortly after half-time as Matt Jarvis crossed from the left for Fletcher to head his 11th goal in 16 games into the roof of the net.
The goal only served to reawaken United, who re-established their two-goal lead when Jones threaded a pass to Valencia, who crossed low for Nani to convert from six yards.
Valencia rounded off a fine afternoon's work with the assist for the fourth goal as another cross picked out Rooney to beat Hennessey with a powerful low shot on the turn.
Another marauding run from Jones almost produced a fifth goal but Hennessey did well to foil Federico Macheda at the near post.
Wolves' sixth away league defeat in eight games leaves them just three points clear of the relegation zone.
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
Tags:
Latest Stories
-
Strongman Burner to perform at Joy Prime’s Big Chef Tertiary Season 2 finale
8 mins -
Even in crisis; we’ve managed the exchange rate better than NDC – Bawumia asserts
29 mins -
Mohammed Kudus stunner against Freiburg earns Puskás Award nomination
32 mins -
CompuGhana presents: Black Friday themed ‘Something black is coming’ biggest sale of the year
33 mins -
KNUST Hospital celebrates feat as seven doctors qualify as specialists
45 mins -
All set for Standard Chartered Bank’s SC Cup 2024
50 mins -
FIFA The Best Awards: No Ronaldo but Messi nominated for Men’s Award
1 hour -
Election 2024: ‘Ghana will win, and peace will win’ – Bawumia
1 hour -
Don’t sweep cause of ballot paper shortages in Volta Region under the carpet – NDC to EC
1 hour -
‘I can’t believe Black Stars couldn’t qualify for 2025 AFCON’ – Stonebwoy
2 hours -
Today’s front pages: Friday, November 29, 2024
2 hours -
Sharaf Mahama leads the charge for NDC’s victory in Volta Region: A beacon of hope and action
3 hours -
Do all you can to preserve Ghana’s peace – Bawumia to media, other stakeholders
3 hours -
We seek power solely for the people’s prosperity – Bawumia asserts
3 hours -
Direct flights from London to Kumasi set to begin December 3
4 hours