Manchester United kept up the pressure on Arsenal for the Barclays Premiership runners-up spot with a comfortable 4-0 win at Charlton.

Paul Scholes and Darren Fletcher set the visitors on their way with first-half efforts before Alan Smith and Wayne Rooney completed the scoring midway through the second period to give Charlton debutant 'keeper Stephan Andersen a day he would certainly never forget.

The hosts' best chance had fallen to Francis Jeffers early on, who forced a good stop from Roy Carroll - and Charlton's miserable afternoon was compounded with the late dismissal of substitute Chris Perry for a professional foul on Wes Brown.

There was almost a nightmare start for the young Dane when, inside 30 seconds, Wayne Rooney darted into the right side of the area and skipped past the advancing 'keeper - but the England striker's cut-back was headed over by Darren Fletcher.

At the other end, it took a fine save from Carroll to deny Jeffers in the fourth minute.

A corner from the right found its way out to Rooney on the opposite corner of the penalty box. The England man side-stepped his marker before sending in a low, swerving drive.

Andersen got his body behind it, but could not hold on to the ball, and Scholes was first to the rebound for his ninth Premiership goal.

The midfielder was then fortunate to still be on the pitch after he went in two-footed on Dennis Rommedahl, but was given the benefit of the doubt by referee Dermot Gallagher, who eventually took out his yellow card.

Andersen could do little to keep out United's second on 44 minutes.

Rooney again surged clear down the left channel and to the by-line, before slipping in Scholes.

He was allowed to turn before looking up and laying the ball back to Fletcher on the edge of the area, who confidently dispatched a low shot into the bottom left corner.

In the 47th minute, a flick-on by Smith sent Rooney racing clear and the England man was only denied his 11th league goal of the season by the right-hand post as his low 15-yard drive smacked against the foot of the woodwork, with Andersen beaten.

Charlton substitute Kevin Lisbie almost got on the end of Rommedahl's driven centre from the right as the hour-mark passed, but could not get up high enough to make a good connection.

But it was soon 3-0 and game over in the 62nd minute.

El Karkouri hesitated as he went to clear a long punt up field, some 35 yards out, which allowed Smith to nip in and steal possession.

The England striker raced on into the box, before slotting the ball into the bottom right corner after drawing the keeper.

And Rooney once again showed his composure with a cool finish to a fine United passing move in the 67th minute.

Ryan Giggs, Smith and Kleberson all exchanged passes before the Brazilian slipped a slide-rule ball through for the England striker, who calmly lifted the ball over Andersen from 12 yards.

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