The task was difficult at times against a gallant team determined not be over-awed by their opponent's reputation, but in the end the men of Old Trafford showed exactly why they remain the best around. And that was just the All Blacks.

Over at Selhurst Park, the annual mass meeting of the London branch of the Manchester United supporters club were witnessing a similar scene, with admittedly some hairier moments but again settled by superior finishing.

Whether playing home or away, New Zealand and United are the best in their field. The contrast between United and Wimbledon, however, is starker. The postmatch demonstration by a group of Dons diehards against a possible move to Dublin served to highlight the problem. This small bunch of loyal supporters want their club to stay put; the club wants more than a "small bunch" of loyal supporters.

Even the fact that both teams started this game with five homegrown players could not hide the disparity between the haves and have-nots. Simply by their status, United attract the best youngsters in the land.

Even when Wimbledon unearth a gem of their own, the club's lack of resources means the player is likely to be put on display still unpolished. In Carl Cort Wimbledon have discovered a striker of enormous potential. He was plucked from Sunday league football at 14 and his manger Joe Kinnear purrs as he describes him. "His first touch is good, he's quick for a big lad and strong, with an eye for goal."

But although Cort is the team's top scorer with six goals, he is only 20 and made his first-team debut just this season. Had United been facing Carl Cort two years further into his career, when the steel of experience will have sharpened his cutting edge, the Premiership leaders might not be that today.

A header wide, a shot wide, a wasteful blast over the bar and another shot straight at Peter Schmeichel comprised the catalogue of first half chances from which Cort will feel disappointed not to have extracted at least two goals.

When, three minutes from the break, Michael Hughes was sent through on goal by Marcus Gayle's header, only the legs of Schmeichel prevented Wimbledon scoring a third.

For some reason United were just too laid-back for their own good in the first half. Perhaps there was a touch of complacency given that they had won the previous six league games against Wimbledon.

When Nicky Butt pounced to score United's first goal three minutes into the second half, it represented United's first shot on target. More significantly, though, it showed the difference between both teams' finishing.

Chris Perry allowed Butt just a yard, but it was enough for the United player to turn and fire clinically home. Paul Scholes' burst into the area to set up David Beckham on the far post for United's second. But seconds later United went all wobbly again. The defence's failure to take one of four chances to clear the ball set up Neil Ardley for Wimbledon's first, then three minutes later Perry's ball over the top of a square United defence set Michael Hughes free on goal and his run ended with a cool shot past Schmeichel.

Unfortunately for Wimbledon, instead of being fazed United simply stepped up a gear. Beckham landed himself with the rare tag of "super sub" when his 35-yard shot deflected in off Vinnie Jones. Scholes hopeful backheel added the fourt after clever work by Andy Cole, and the rejuvenated and re-signed striker added the fifth when he spun past Dean Blackwell and planted a glorious 18 yarder beyond Neil Sullivan - United's 23rd goal in their last five games.

On Thursday they meet Kosice with a Champions' League quarter-final place in mind. A place of their own would do Wimbledon.

Wimbledon: Sullivan, Cunningham, Jones, Blackwell, Thatcher, C Hughes (Clarke 85), Gayle, Perry, M Hughes, Ardley (Solbakken 85), Cort. Subs Not Used: Kimble, Earle, Heald. Booked: C Hughes, Perry. Goals: Ardley 68, M Hughes 70.

Manchester United: Schmeichel, G Neville (Beckham 65), Johnsen, Pallister, Butt, Cole, Sheringham, Giggs, P Neville, Scholes, Berg. Subs Not Used: Van Der Gouw, Poborsky, Solskjaer, Curtis. Booked: Scholes. Goals: Butt 48, Beckham 66, 76, Scholes 81, Cole 87.

Referee: P A Durkin (Portland).

Guardian Service.