BY KEVIN McCARRA ( The Times )

A SHOW of strength need not require the brutal crushing of the opposition. Nottingham Forest were spirited in this Worthington Cup fourth-round tie last night, but were left with the chastening reflection that Manchester United, thanks to Solskjaer's goals, won while using players from the periphery of their squad.

The composition of the team for a more testing quarter-final, against Tottenham Hotspur at White Hart Lane, will, it was confirmed, be similar. Facing a heavy programme, clubs of a certain stature are unwilling to be earnest in this competition. Fielding a full-strength side might be considered as much of a faux pas as displaying grim determination while shying at coconuts in a fairground stall.

Forest, by contrast, are in too much trouble this season to dabble in diffidence and it was a genuine surprise to find Van Hooijdonk on the substitutes' bench. The Holland international, who had until recently been boycotting Forest, was unwell yesterday and in no condition for a full appearance.

Harewood, the teenager, remained in the attack and, in the tenth minute, outpaced Berg before forcing Van der Gouw to fend his shot behind for a corner. After 33 minutes, Gemmill moved on to Stone's pass, worked his way into the middle and hit a drive that bounced off the goalkeeper.

A spine of international players, in Berg, Butt and Solskjaer, ran down the middle of the United team and ensured good posture. There was no likelihood of a slouching performance and it took all of Forest's energy to ensure that United's contribution was muted in the first half.

The visiting supporters enjoyed the temporary tameness of these famous adversaries. "Shhh," they murmured en masse, deriding the quiet that crept over United's followers.

The crowd must have been grateful for the firm shake that was soon to break their slumbers. Some readjustment of attitude had taken place in the dressing-room at the interval.

Alex Ferguson, the manager, presumably issued fiery reminders of the trophy at stake. "It was a test for the younger players to increase the tempo and enjoy themselves," he said.

There was an insistence and momentum that preceded the goals from Solskjaer. Cruyff lifted his attempt over, after Wallwork, the substitute, had headed Wilson's cross to him, and the Dutchman was also inaccurate when released by Mulryne's quick free kick.

Greening had tested Beasant with a drive that deflected from Chettle. The breakthroughs came once the excellent and tireless Cruyff, having faltered with his finishing, recast himself as provider. In the 54th and 57th minutes, his excellent through-passes overwhelmed a flat defence and Solskjaer ran through to slip the ball home.

With Cole and Yorke in such eye-catching form, the Norway forward will have been relieved to demonstrate his continued presence and worth at Old Trafford. Towards the close of the evening, he came close to a hat-trick, missing the target from the halfway line when Beasant was stranded far from the goalmouth and, in the last few moments, clipping the bar with a shot.

Before then, anger rather than self-pity had predominated in Forest's reaction. In the 68th minute, Stone whipped a 25-yard shot high past Van der Gouw and there could have been an equaliser had the referee awarded a penalty for Greening's apparent manhandling of Rogers.

By then, Van Hooijdonk had taken the field, but obtained no more from the match than a personal share of his club's disappointment.

Manchester United (4-4-2): R van der Gouw - M Clegg, H Berg, D May (sub: R Wallwork, 46min), J Curtis - J Greening, M Wilson, N Butt, P Mulryne - O G Solskjaer, J Cruyff.

Nottingham Forest (4-4-2): D Beasant - L Matthieu, S Chettle, C Armstrong, A Rogers - S Stone, S Gemmill, C Bart-Williams, A Gray - D Freedman, M Harewood (sub: P van Hooijdonk, 63).

Referee: R Harris.