Ronaldo looks the part in a shade of lime green as a jet-lagged United found passage to the Club Cup Championship final courtesy of a five goal drubbing of Japan’s Gamba Osaka….

Ferguson made changes but fielded a strong lineup that included Neville and a first choice defence in front of Van der Sar. Scholes made a first start since his return from injury in midfield alongside Anderson. Nani was on one flank, while Ronaldo completed the full game on the other wing. Berbatov missed this one with a virus so Giggs and Tevez earned starts up front. Rooney replaced the Argentine late on to seal the win with a double strike – his two goals were just part of a flurry of six goals in the final 19 minutes.

Before Rooney’s entry, efforts from Vidic and Ronaldo had put United in the driving seat, before the brace from Rooney sandwiched a strike from Fletcher. Ferguson’s men conceded a pair of late goals to put a more competitive look on the scoreline but the result was never in doubt.

Ronaldo predictably, was a flashbulb magnet – courting the crowd and photographers with a pair of lime green boots which he used to hypnotise the Osaka with an array of trademark stepovers. He did produce the goods on the night though, with a goal of simplicity and some runs of quality, plus one pass for Anderson that really should have been converted into an assist.

Ronnie’s goal here was his first in five weeks but his performance will be a reminder that despite all the distracting claims being delivered via Madrid right now, Ronaldo can produce goals and assists in spades. Elsewhere Vidic again reminded us that he has the edge over Ferdinand for goalscoring potential, with another commanding headed goal from a Giggs corner. Neville was reliable but conceded a penalty, which won’t have helped his chances of wrestling back the first choice right back slot away from Rafael.

United now move into the final on Saturday before they return to Premier League action the following weekend at Stoke.