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.

Lisbie was slipped into the United box with 18 minutes to go, but Carroll was out quickly to make a brave stop at the Charlton striker’s feet.

With six minutes left, Charlton’s afternoon got worse when Perry, the last defender, received a straight red for wrestling Wes Brown to the ground on the edge of the penalty area.