MANCHESTER United trampled, or rather splashed, their way all over Brondby in their most impressive performance yet in the Champions' League to head their group. Three goals in the first half-hour and another three immediately after the interval left the Danes gasping.

 Heavy rain throughout the day made the pitch heavy in the centre but fast down the flanks, and with Ryan Giggs in elusive form on the right side of midfield, there was no holding a team intent on emulating the European Cup achievement of their famous forebears.

The result was United's best away win in Europe since they beat Borussia Dortmund 6-1 in the Inter-City Fairs Cup in 1964-65.

The Danes eventually hit back when Kim Daugaard made it 3-1 from a free-kick in the 34th minute, thanks in part to a blunder by Peter Schmeichel on his return in the United goal.

That was nothing, however, compared with the error that had allowed United to go in front inside two minutes.

Wes Brown, making his European debut at right-back, advanced into empty space and sent an early cross speculatively into the Brondby penalty area. Kenneth Rasmussen, one of the central defenders, managed to confuse keeper Mogens Krogh, the ball bobbling off the two of them straight to a grateful Giggs. With an almost casual touch, Giggs placed the ball in an empty net, unable to believe his good fortune.

Brondby finally began to brighten the humour of their supporters. Soren Colding, their captain and right-back, smashed a 20-yard drive that was too powerful for Schmeichel to hold at the first attempt, obliging him to dive hurriedly on the rebound.

Yet in the next minute United went further in front. A perfectly pitched cross from Jesper Blomqvist cleared the goalmouth across to the right, where Giggs, several inches shorter than Brian Jensen, the left-back, rose high above him to head the most elegant of goals.

Still pressing, Paul Scholes saw a cross-shot from the right fly just wide of the far post and now United snatched their third. Giggs, whose delicate footwork was proving a nightmare for the Danes, stroked a pass from the halfway line and Andy Cole, accelerating clear, steered his shot wide of the advancing Krogh.

Further misfortune then came Brondby's way. Per Nielsen, their other central defender who has played in 26 European ties, suffered a blow in the face, which eventually forced him to leave the field.

By now Brondby had also lost Brian Jensen, carried off with a leg injury, but some coherence was emerging. Thomas Lindrup, having been booked for an exaggerated gesture for taking a free-kick too early, had his satisfaction in sweeping the ball low past the right side of the defensive wall. Diving to meet the shot at the foot of his left-hand post, Schmeichel misjudged the slippery ball and it cannoned off his shoulder into the side netting.

Now Brondby at last began to play as they really can, but half-time arrived with the probability that they had left it far too late.

They had indeed. United swept another three goals past them in the opening quarter of an hour of the second-half, enabling them thereafter to enter a tactical stroll. Few United teams, in recent years or in the illustrious early days of Europe, have played with more assurance.

The fourth goal came from Roy Keane as he forged through from the halfway line, took a return pass from Dwight Yorke and shot in off the left-hand post.

Then came perhaps the best goal of the match as Phil Neville raced down the left flank and curled a high cross that dropped just beyond the far post for Yorke to send his header through the goalkeeper's grasp at close range.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer having come on in place of Cole, scored with his second touch, a first-time drive as Yorke laid back a pass from Keane.

Bronby then managed to grab a late consolation through Ebbe Sand.