The day may have belonged to BSkyB and their £623.4 million takeover of Manchester United, but the night was Dwight Yorke's. Much was expected of United's £12.6 million record signing on his home debut, and he did not disappoint as he produced a sparkling performance.

He scored twice, including his 100th career goal, and was at the heart of nearly everything for United. Hero status was duly conferred on Yorke by the United fans, and he came off midway through the second half to a standing ovation from the home supporters.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer ably supported Yorke on his first start of the season and the Norwegian also bagged a brace.

The Old Trafford faithful were delighted by United's first League win of the season and they directed just the odd chant of abuse at chairman Martin Edwards over the takeover.

The Independent Manchester United Supporters Association, though, has vowed to fight the takeover and has organised a rally for next Tuesday.

That is of little concern to Charlton, who after making a bright start to life in the Premiership, were brought down to earth with a hefty bump.

They had not conceded a goal in their first three matches as boss Alan Curbishley won the August Manager of the Month award, but Yorke and Solskjaer combined to make a substantial dent in their goals against column.

Charlton arrived at Old Trafford full of confidence and they gave United a scare after nine minutes when Andy Hunt got a touch to Neil Redfearn's shot, but he directed his effort past the post with Peter Schmeichel beaten.

Paul Scholes then wasted a glorious opportunity to give United the lead after 11 minutes when Yorke played him through only for the England midfielder to shoot wide.

United went close again when Yorke fed David Beckham on the right and he sent over a teasing cross to the back post where Sasa Ilic made a point-blank save from Solskjaer's header.

Hunt then had a strong penalty appeal turned down by referee Paul Durkin when he went down in the box under a challenge from Jaap Stam.

The impressive Yorke was just inches away from scoring when he slid in to knock Beckham's cross over the bar.

Charlton then stunned United when they took the lead after 31 minutes thanks to a huge slice of luck.

Their captain, the Republic of Ireland international Mark Kinsella's 25-yard shot took a deflection as it passed through a pack of players, wrong-footing Schmeichel before ending up in the back of the net.

Their lead was short-lived and seven minutes later Solskjaer repaid manager Alex Ferguson for giving him his first start when he equalised with a terrific finish from just outside area.

Scholes almost added a second with a 25-yard drive which Ilic touched away brilliantly for a corner, but United were not to be denied, and two minutes into stoppage time Yorke paid off the first instalment of his transfer fee.

Beckham curled in a tempting free-kick from the right, and Yorke came in at the back post to head home his first goal for United.

Yorke picked up where he left off after the interval, and the second half was just three minutes old when Yorke side-footed home his second and United's third.

Scholes found Beckham on the right and Solskjaer missed his cross, but the Trinidad and Tobago international striker made no mistake to score from close range.

Chris Powell denied Yorke a hat-trick opportunity when he headed debutant Jesper Blomqvist's cross away with the former Aston Villa man lurking.

Charlton replaced Shaun Newton with Paul Mortimer, while United brought Henning Berg on for the injured Denis Irwin.

A male streaker then ran onto the pitch after 58 minutes to provide an amusing interlude before he surrendered to the stewards.

By now, Charlton had also hoisted the white flag, and Solskjaer stole in unmarked to head home his second of the night from Berg's right-wing cross on 62 minutes.

Manchester United: Schmeichel, Irwin (Berg 57), Johnsen, Stam, Beckham, Neville, Blomqvist, Keane, Scholes, Yorke (Sheringham 68), Solskjaer (Cole 68). Subs Not Used: Van Der Gouw, Wilson. Goals: Solskjaer 38, Yorke 45, 48, Solskjaer 63.

Charlton: Ilic, Mills, Powell, Redfearn, Youds, Newton (Mortimer 55), Kinsella (K. Jones 75), Hunt, Mendonca (S. Jones 71), Robinson, Brown. Subs Not Used: Petterson, Balmer. Goals: Kinsella 32. Referee: P Durkin (Portland).

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