By David Hobbs
November 3 2004

United have edged closer to qualifying for the knock-out stages of this year's Champions League courtesy of a four-goal brace from striker Ruud van Nistelrooy. Van Nistelrooy did one better than striking-partner Wayne Rooney's hat-trick debut a few weeks back, hammering 4 goals to beat Sparta Prague

Ruud Hat-Trick Hammers Sparta

Manchester United 4
Van Nistelrooy 14, 25 (pen), 60, 90

Sparta Prague 1
Zelenka 53

Manchester United have edged closer to qualifying for the knock-out stages of this year's Champions League courtesy of a four-goal brace from striker Ruud van Nistelrooy.

Van Nistelrooy did one better than striking-partner Wayne Rooney's hat-trick debut a few weeks back, hammering 4 goals to beat Czech outfit Sparta Prague.

Even though being domestically goal-shy this term, the Dutch international lashed out with a four typical Van Nistelrooy goals despite Zelenka's attempt to level things out.

Ryan Giggs, Alan Smith and Louis Saha could only make a place on the substitutes bench at Old Trafford whilst Liam Miller was handed a European start in midfield with fellow countryman Roy Keane, who made his first start since injury. Karel Poborsky made a return to Old Trafford, where he enjoyed a spell several years back.

Poborsky soon showed his former United faithful why he was once worthy of wearing a United jersey early on in the game, striking a powerful attempt that glided narrowly over Roy Carroll's crossbar.

Whatever Poborsky could do, left-back Gabriel Heinze could do slightly better. The Olympic-Gold medallist unleashed a venomous effort that totally evaded Sparta 'keeper Blazek, but was cruelly denied by the woodwork.

Sloppy Sparta defending was the only excuse for Ruud van Nistelrooy breaking the deadlock after 14 minutes. Jiri Homolas' attempted back-pass was picked up by a pouching Van Nistelrooy, who took it past goalie Blazek to slot home.

Paul Scholes quickly made up for his free-header that the former-England international somehow headed wide by winning an innocent penalty. Van Nistelrooy calmly stepped up, keeping his nerve to double his goal-tally for the night and United's lead.

Ulsterman Roy Carroll pulled off a fantastic double save to block Jun and Zelenka from pulling a goal back moments before the half-time whistle. Cristiano Ronaldo should have converted his one-on-one run seconds later.

Eight minutes after the break, Lukas Zelenka restored some hope for the Czechs.

However, Van Nistelrooy completed his hat-trick thanks to Gabriel Heinze's long pass. The Dutchman took advantage of lackluster defending to strike home.

The game was marred by Karel Poborsky's double yellow-card that left no choice for Alain Hamer to send the midfielder off. Van Nistelrooy extended the smiles of United fans, tapping home from short-range moments before time.

Final Score: Manchester United 4 - 1 Sparta Prague
Att: 66,706

Manchester United: Carroll, Gary Neville, Ferdinand, Brown, Heinze, Miller, Keane, Scholes (Phil Neville 69), Ronaldo (Kleberson 69), Rooney, van Nistelrooy.

Sparta Prague: Blazek, Pergl, Homola, Kovac, Petras, Sivok, Vorisek (Meduna 72), Poborsky, Zelenka, Urbanek (Simak 81), Jun (Pacanda 81)

Refereed By: Alain Hamer
Venue: Old Trafford