Charlton 0 Manchester United 3

IF THE cavalry are truly riding to Charlton’s rescue in the shape of a creative midfielder and centre-back, then supporters will plead for their arrivals before next Thursday’s closure of the transfer window.

Bottom of the Premiership without a point and with six goals stacked against them after two games, Iain Dowie’s revolution badly needs impetus.

With Saturday’s visit of abrasive Bolton, who they tend never to do well against, followed by a trip to champions Chelsea, the Addicks face the unpalatable prospect of not having a point to their name after four matches.

Even former manager Alan Curbishley, a spectator on Wednesday, was moved to admit – even at this early stage – a point at least against Bolton is imperative.

Dowie, who had wanted so much more from his first two league matches, was afterwards struggling to summon some semblance of optimism after watching his players chase shadows.

He conceded: "Manchester United have fantastic movement but the manner of the last two goals disappointed me. Jonathan Fortune’s slip handed them their first, which was unfortunate. We were chasing the game after that."

Charlton, now in their seventh consecutive season in the top flight, have never beaten United in the league and never looked capable of getting that monkey off their back.

Had the woodwork not come to their aid on three occasions, the margin of defeat would have been far greater.

Charlton enjoyed their best moments in the first half when Darren Ambrose was influential on the right side of midfield. But yet again they failed to provide Darren Bent with the kind of service on which he can thrive.

Ryan Giggs was the first to strike the woodwork in the 25th minute, hitting inside of a post. Cristiano Ronaldo, who was booed incessantly, rattled the crossbar in the 44th before Ji-Sung Park saw a shot bounce off a post in the 57th.

In between, Darren Fletcher pounced on Fortune’s slip to give United a 49th- minute lead. Louis Saha picked his spot to increase the advantage in the 80th before substitute Ole Gunnar Solskjaer compounded Charlton’s misery in the final minute.

Charlton (4-4-2): Carson (7), Young (6), El Karkouri (5), Fortune (5), Hreidarsson (5), Ambrose (6), Holland (5), Faye (4), Hughes (4), Bent (5), Hasselbaink (4). Substitutions: M Bent (5) for Hasselbaink, 65 mins, Rommedahl for Faye 82. Not used: Myhre, Kishishev, Lisbie.

Cautioned: Hreidarsson, 33 mins, unsporting behaviour.

Manchester United (4-4-1-1): Van Der Sar (6), Brown (6), Ferdinand (6), Silvestre (6), Evra (6), Fletcher (7), Giggs (7), O’Shea (7), Park (6), Ronaldo (8), Saha (7). Substitutions: Carrick (6) for Park, 77 mins. Solskjaer for Giggs, 82 mins. Not used: Kuszczak, Rossi, Richardson.

Cautioned: Brown, 38 mins, unsporting behaviour.

Referee: Chris Foy (6). Attendance: 25,422.