Until Solskjaer's introduction, it had been more of the Dwight Yorke-Andy Cole show, with a brace of goals from each striker as Forest boss Ron Atkinson was introduced to the harsh reality of life at the bottom of the Premiership. Cole's two goals celebrated not only his England recall, but his recall to the side too - he had been left on the bench by Ferguson for Wednesday's victory over Derby.

But back in the starting line-up alongside close friend Yorke, Cole - with England caretaker-coach Howard Wilkinson believed to be at the City Ground watching him - proved too hot to handle.

Yorke put United in front inside 85 seconds and after Alan Rogers equalised on six minutes, Cole, who was born in Nottingham, showed Wilkinson his finishing power. First, he restored the visitors' lead straight from the restart after Rogers' strike, racing onto Jaap Stam's long ball and rounding Dave Beasant before firing into the empty net from a tight angle.

Then, on 49 minutes and after squandering a hat-trick of chances, Cole completed his double, running in to drill the ball beneath Beasant after the Forest keeper had failed to hold onto Yorke's low drive. Yorke's second came midway through the second half, slotting home into an empty net after Jon Olav Hjelde had inadvertently diverted Jesper Blomqvist's low cross onto his own post.

Solskjaer replaced Yorke and an already one-sided game became a rout.

He stabbed home from close range after good work from David Beckham and Gary Neville for his first, drilled the ball into an empty net for his second and rounded off his hat-trick in the first minute of stoppage time. But the 25-year-old was still not finished, and his fourth came in the third minute of injury time with Forest in complete disarray.

Solskjaer's performance will give Ferguson a blissful dilemma - who to choose. Yorke has now scored 21 goals this season - including nine in his last six appearances - and he is looking to be worth every penny of the £12.6million he cost in August. The Trinidadian hogged the limelight by scoring the winner in each of the 1-0 defeats of Charlton and Derby in the last seven days, but against Forest it was first Cole and then Solskjaer who caught the eye.

Cole's blistering pace was too much for Forest, who remain rooted to the bottom of the Premiership after this defeat - their fourth in five outings. Sacked England coach Glenn Hoddle accused Cole of wasting chances but, after a public row during which the striker called Hoddle "a coward", he returned to the England squad this week.

Recalling Cole was Hoddle's last meaningful act as England coach and if the 27-year-old continues to play as well as he is at present, the former boss' move will be fully vindicated. He and Yorke are unstoppable at the moment, scoring 16 goals between them in United's last seven matches - all of which Alex Ferguson's side have won. And then there is Solskjaer, the super-sub to beat all super-subs today.

What Forest manager Atkinson, the former United boss, would give for a striker with half the ability of the three on show for the visitors. His side tried manfully but they had Beasant to thank for them not being further behind at the break and after United went 3-1 up, it was a case of how many more they could score.

Beasant made several fine saves, while Paul Scholes also hit the post and if the visitors had hit double figures, it would not have been a surprise.

Ferguson's men played so well, the return to Premiership refereeing of Paul Alcock after a three-month lay-off went off relatively unnoticed. But it should be noted that he did well, allowing the play to flow as frequently as possible and showing the yellow card sparingly.

He also got the game back under control quickly in the dying stages as Forest, who were 5-1 down, started to get frustrated. It was also quite an introduction for new United assistant manager Steve McClaren - he could not have wished for a better start to his Old Trafford career.