BBC Radio 5 Live final whistle match report

United secured an easy 6-2 first-leg vitory two weeks ago in Denmark and proved their superiority again when David Beckham scored after only seven minutes with a superb free-kick.

But the home side were clearly not finished and punished the Danes with further goals from Andy Cole (13th), Phil Neville (15th) and Dwight Yorke (27th).

Paul Scholes added another in the 63rd.

United manager Alex Ferguson eased up in the second half when he brought on substitutes Jordi Cruyff and Ole Solskjaer.

The Dane's were not helped by the absence of No. 1 goalkeeper Mogens Krogh, who missed the match with a back injury - backup keeper Emeka Andersen getting the call.

Dwight Yorke on target for the Reds

But there was no disputing United's class at Old Trafford as the rampant Reds ripped Brondby apart to put themselves within touching distance of the Champions' League quarter-finals.

There are stouter defences than Brondby's in Europe, but that should not detract from United, whose passing and finishing were breathtaking at times.

Just as in Denmark a fortnight ago, United won the game with another opening salvo and this time they blitzed the Danes with four goals inside the opening 28 minutes.

It was United's third mauling of Brondby in just over three months and the Old Trafford outfit have also set a new Champions' League record of 16 goals in the group stages.

David Beckham scores another classic 35 yrd free-kick

More importantly, though, United remain in pole position at the top of Group D going into their next match against Barcelona in the Nou Camp in three weeks' time.

Keeper Emeka Andersen was found wanting for United's first after seven minutes when Beckham beat the goalkeeper with a 30-yard free-kick.

It was the England international's fourth of the season and his third from a free-kick.

United celebrate a successful European night

Per Nielsen then headed against his own post and Cole was denied by a last-ditch challenge before United netted their second in the 13th minute.

Jesper Blomqvist found Cole, who played a one-two with Dwight Yorke, before tucking the ball home from an acute angle for his 13th goal on his 19th European appearance.

Andy Cole chips the 'keeper to make it two

Phil Neville made it 3-0 after 15 minutes when he played a one-two with Yorke before ramming home his first Old Trafford goal.

Jaap Stam went close to a fourth with a header before Andersen produced a fine save to touch Cole's header over the bar.

But the inevitable fourth goal came on 28 minutes courtesy of record signing Yorke.

Blomqvist found Beckham on the right and he crossed for Yorke to head home, although Andersen made another howler as he let the ball squirm under his body.

Just after the half hour, United replaced Phil Neville, who had a hamstring injury, with Wes Brown, who had made way for Denis Irwin in the starting line-up.

Peter Schmeichel, who was making his 50th European appearance against his former club, denied Brondby a consolation goal when he thwarted lone striker Ebbe Sand with his legs.

Paul Scholes bags the best goal of the evening

Paul Scholes kept the celebrations going for the home fans when he cut in from the right to tuck home a left-footed shot for goal number five on 62 minutes.

It was the red-hot United's 26th goal in their last seven matches. Cruyff, Yorke, Beckham and Solskjaer all went close to a sixth near the end, but for once United had to settle for just five.

Teams:

Man Utd: Schmeichel, G. Neville, Irwin, Stam, Beckham, Cole, P. Neville, Blomqvist, Keane, Scholes, Yorke. Subs: Van Der Gouw, Butt, Cruyff, Solskjaer, Johnsen, Curtis, Brown.

Brondby: Andersen, Bjur, Nielsen, Ravn, J. Jensen, Daugaard, Sand, Colding, Bagger, Skarballius, Rasmussen. Subs: Drejs, Bjerregaard, Vragel, Thygesen, Hansen, Krogh, M. Jensen.