Returning trio give Fergie a selection headache

Manchester United welcomed in the New Year with an awesome display against West Ham - and one which has presented manager Sir Alex Ferguson with a problem to ponder for the months ahead.

The Premiership leaders have opened up an 11-point gap over Arsenal and Sunderland, as they chase a third successive title.

United were nothing less than sensational against the Hammers last night, and with three of their best players - Jaap Stam, Andy Cole and Teddy Sheringham - nearing fitness again after injury, Ferguson's dilemma is who to pick and who to leave out.

Visiting boss Harry Redknapp, after witnessing a footballing masterclass at Old Trafford, admitted: "It's frightening for everybody else".

Stam, Sheringham, David May, Mark Bosnich and perhaps even Cole are all pencilled in to play in a reserve match on Thursday night, and of those Sheringham at least should be ready to play some part in the FA Cup game against Fulham on Sunday.

They were not even missed against West Ham as strikes from Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Dwight Yorke, either side of a Stuart Pearce own goal, capped a stunning display by the home side.

Ferguson accepted that Arsenal's defeat at Charlton earlier in the day had taken the pressure off his players.

"You try to accept favours like that and it was an incentive for us to go about our job in a proper way," said Ferguson.

"The job now is to ensure we focus on every game. We have had a great period of Christmas games and have an 11-point lead which leads us to the difficulty of handling all that comes with it.

"We must make sure we do not take our foot off the pedal and try as hard in every game."

Ferguson lavished praise on man-of-the-match David Beckham, who was at the heart of all of United's best moves.

He said: "He had a marvellous game. He was fantastic - his workrate was phenomenal and he never stopped. He deserved to be named man of the match."