Manchester United’s unbeaten record in all competitions this season disappeared in an on-field blizzard of goals from the EPL’s bottom club West Ham United this week, although it was an understrength United selection and it was only” the Carling Cup.

And despite having won the Carling Cup for the last two seasons, United fans would probably argue that their weekend return to the top of the EPL was of far greater significance, as was the record-equalling return to form of striker Dimitar Berbatov.

The Bulgarian, who hadn’t scored since his match-winning hat-trick against Liverpool in September, grabbed five goals in United’s 7-1 destruction of hapless Blackburn Rovers.

 

Meanwhile, United have started to prepare for life after the upcoming retirement of Dutch goalkeeper Edwin Van der Sar, signing 26-year-old Danish custodian Anders Lindegaard at the weekend.

And Wayne Rooney has attempted to quash all rumours that he was plotting a move to big-spending Manchester City during his protracted contract negotiations which dominated the sports pages last month.

Former United player Jonathan Spector set his old club on the road to Carling Cup exit with two first-half goals at Upton Park.

And striker Carlton Cole took advantage of United’s shaky rearguard to bag a brace of his own and complete a rout which, manager Alex Ferguson confessed afterwards he “hadn’t seen coming.”

Three days before, however, United ended a run of unconvincing EPL wins with the most convincing one imaginable, dominating from start to finish, only failing to reach double figures because of poor finishing, good goalkeeping from Rovers’ Paul Robinson and an over-emphasis on getting Rooney on the scoresheet.

United ended the weekend two points clear of Chelsea at the top of the EPL.

26-year-old Danish international Lindegaard has signed a three-and-a-half-year deal with United for an undisclosed fee. He will train with the club from this month but will only be available once the January Transfer Window opens.

United boss Ferguson said: “Anders is one of the brightest young keepers in the game. We have signed a goalkeeper of great presence and even more promise.”

Meanwhile, Wayne Rooney has revealed that he would have played abroad rather than join the blue half of Manchester, saying: “Everyone is saying that I was definitely going to Manchester City. Believe me, if I had gone it wouldn’t have been in England.”

This Saturday evening at 5.30pm United visit the season’s surprise package Blackpool.