FULHAM 0, MAN UNITED 4

TO the amusement of the visiting supporters, bored with their team's crushing supremacy, Sir Alex Ferguson had to make a solo dash across the pitch after emerging late for the second half.

Well, dash is pushing it. Still, it was a sprightly effort for a 67-year-old grandfather on going that was distinctly soft.

But his horse What A Friend will have to move a good deal more swiftly on Wednesday if it is to give its owner his first Festival win. And, unlike Fergie, it hasn't got a pacemaker.

So maybe he should send this collection of thoroughbreds down to Cheltenham - because, on this evidence, no prize is beyond them.

For Manchester United fans inside Craven Cottage, Ferguson's canter across the turf was one of the highlights of the evening.

The other was a glaring miss from Wayne Rooney. Boy, that tickled them. So much so, they treated their only pet Scouser to a round of 'What the f****** hell was that?'.

Confused? There is a simple explanation. Such was the glaring inevitability of the outcome, such was the cavernous gulf between two teams supposedly from the same division, such was the abject surrender from the opposition, these United followers needed something different to titillate them.

WHAT FOUR - Park Ji Sung scores

Because the glut of brilliance from Ferguson's side has rendered the regal routine, the majestic mundane, the outrageous ordinary.

Carlos Tevez following his first goal with a run and strike that covered the length of Fulham's half? Ah, so what.

Rooney caressing one in from the edge of the area to cap a belligerent, buccaneering display? Yeah, yeah, seen it all before.

Park Ji Sung showing lung-bursting energy to pounce for a fine individual fourth? Well, that ain't anything special. And that is why Fergie's galloping grandpa slot went down so well.

MAGIC SPONGE - Rio Ferdinand gets treatment from the United physio

That is why they took the mickey out of Rooney. This standard of excellence has been a given for a long time.

And it is a given even when the more luminous stars - such as a grounded Cristiano Ronaldo and a tracksuited Dimitar Berbatov - are resting.

Such is the depth of this talent-well that Ferguson could hardly be accused of treating the FA Cup with anything other than total respect.

The beauty of such bountiful resources is that there are so many players desperate to seize the moment.

DELIGHT - Carlos Tevez and Rio Ferdinand

Tevez, for example, is not just playing for an array of precious metal - the Argentine is playing to convince Old Trafford executives that he is worth £28million in an era of broken banks.

There has never been an issue over his commitment and the effort that had Mark Schwarzer at maximum extension suggested there should be few qualms over his quality. But even his greatest admirers - and they include his current manager - might not have predicted the nature of his first goal.

An old-fashioned far-post header, albeit with the help of some old-fashioned rank bad defending. When the side of Rooney's head sent a Michael Carrick corner looping into the six-yard box, a clearance looked a formality. But, sadly, that duty was left to Paul Konchesky.

Quite what his half-hearted leap was meant to achieve is anybody's guess but Tevez simply lifted himself behind the defender and headed in from arm's length.

It was an inexplicably poor goal to concede and the type United have been gifted too often this season. But that's what happens when you have such an intimidating presence.

Teams make errors simply because of the psychological pressure of facing such formidable opponents. It's like top golfers and Tiger Woods.

BLAST - Carlos Tevez lines up to score for United

His mere presence in the same arena makes top-class players tremble over a three-foot putt. His name on a leaderboard makes straight hitters shank.

It's about aura. Tiger has it on a golf course. United have it on a football field.

Fulham manager Roy Hodgson suggested it might have been different if Nemanja Vidic had not coasted back to make a clearance after Andy Johnson forced an Edwin van der Sar mistake. Or if Clint Dempsey had not headed straight into the Dutchman's palms.

It wouldn't. And after Tevez struck that, essentially, was that. Start of exhibition. An exhibition with Tevez and Rooney on glorious display.

UNITED WE STAND - Team-mates congratulate Carlos Tevez

His combination with Tevez simply clicks every time they play together. But Rooney is that talented he clicks with whoever he plays alongside. He could make Konchesky look good.

But it was his partner who proved to be the more clinical last night, even though Tevez's second also owed something to Fulham fallibilities.

You can't take anything away from the fact that Tevez picked up possession just inside opposition territory, sauntered 20 yards and then despatched a swerving right-footer into the top corner.

But five Fulham players simply circled the South American without bothering to put in a meaningful challenge.

It meant the only possible impediment to United's progress to a Wembley semi-final could have been complacency - or the distraction of this week's Champions League game against Inter Milan.

Indeed, the only slight bump on this armchair ride was Rio Ferdinand's failure to show for the second half.

Fergie eventually appeared for his exercise and could have stayed out there such was United's domination. Fulham flickered but the freeze factor soon took effect.

Amateurish

The squat, stubbly presence of Rooney seemed to turn grown men into molten messes.

How else can you explain Brede Hangeland's amateurish pass out of defence that led to Rooney being presented with a shooting opportunity?

Hangeland has been a giant all season. Yesterday, he was a pygmy. The England striker - almost apologetically - rolled a simple shot into the far corner of the net.

And by the time Park intercepted Zoltan Gera's ridiculous pass and finished emphatically, Rooney was long rested. Rested for far sterner tests.

Like Fergie's horse, United have a lot of obstacles blocking their way to glory. But, on this form, they will clear every single one of them.

Midfielder Carrick admitted: "In the first half we played some good stuff. I thought the front two were brilliant.

"Wayne missed a good chance but he made up for it."Carlos' goal was a great strike but he's scored a few, to be fair. That one was special.

"Two important goals in the first half put us in control of the game and after that it was pretty comfortable for us.

"Carlos has played a fair share of games, same as everyone else - everyone gets rotated at some point.

"Everyone's playing on top form. Hopefully that'll continue.

"There's a lot of games coming up and Carlos was excellent today."

PRAISE - United boss Sir Alex Ferguson was delighted with Carlos Tevez

And Fergie added said: "Tevez was superb. He was a jack in the box all the day. He expends such energy during the game.

"Rooney was fantastic. He is just back from that hamstring so I took him off a precaution.

"We had a strong side out there because I think we faced a tricky tie since Fulham's form has been excellent. The last thing we wanted was a draw.

"It was an excellent display. We played with great energy and enjoyment.A semi-final of the FA Cup is always exciting.

"My biggest concern is picking the right team. It's not easy for me because every week I have to leave out world-class players.

"I just hope that come the end of the season they will all look back and recognise that everyone has made a great contribution."

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