Andy Cole proved that Kevin Keegan was right to recall him for England's squad for the Euro 2000 showdown with Scotland when he netted twice for Manchester United against Leicester at Old Trafford.

The BBC's Mark Pougatch: "The result in truth was never in doubt"

The win takes United top - at least until Leeds play on Sunday.

Cole pounced on Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's header, with his back to goal in the 30th minute, to unleash a bicycle kick for his 12th goal of the season.

Cole made sure of the three points when he netted United's second seven minutes from time.

His first shot hit the post and he knocked home the rebound, putting United back at the top of the Premiership to mark manager Sir Alex Ferguson's 13th anniversary in the hot seat.

Cole a handful

United threatened first in the blustery conditionsl.

Cole had a shot blocked before Solskjaer connected with Ryan Giggs' cross at the back post, only for Tim Flowers to save his header comfortably.

Foxes' Emile Heskey is well shepherded by Manchester United's Mickael Silvestre

Leicester were making life difficult for the United defence, and Steve Guppy beat Phil Neville on the left but his back post cross was hit over by Andy Impey.

Cole was proving a handful for Elliott and he headed wide from one Higginbottom cross.

Emile Heskey went the closest yet to breaking the deadlock with a shot which went just wide.

But the Leicester striker's England squad-mate Cole went even better when he opened the scoring in the 30th minute with a spectacular effort.

Spurred on by the goal, United pressed for a second after half time and Elliott stretched out a leg to cut out Solskjaer's dangerous cross for a corner.

Shot wide

The Foxes refused to crumble and former United youth player Robbie Savage hit a bobbling effort wide of Mark Bosnich's left-hand post.

Dwight Yorke tried to get in on the act and he turned skilfully on the edge of the area only to shoot wide.

Giggs thought he had netted a second, but Savage cleared his shot off the line.

Leicester had a fortunate escape in the 59th minute when Flowers failed to collect Solskjaer's flick, which was intended for Yorke, and Guppy hoofed clear the loose ball.

Leicester were rocking and Solskjaer totally sliced the ball from a half chance in the area.

Yorke then set up Cole, just inside the Foxes' box, but Flowers easily gathered his tame shot.

Leicester broke upfield and won a corner when their fans felt they should have had a penalty for handball against Neville.

Flowers then spilled a Solskjaer drive and the Leicester goalkeeper was grateful for Lennon who tidied up.

But made sure with his second to mark Sir Alex Ferguson's 13th anniversary as manager in style.

Teams:

Man Utd:Bosnich, Neville, Stam, Silvestre, Higginbottom, Solskjaer, Keane, Scholes, Giggs, Cole, Yorke. Subs: Van Der Gouw, Berg, Cruyff, May, Greening.

Leicester: Flowers, Sinclair, Elliott, Taggart, Impey, Savage, Lennon, Izzet, Guppy, Heskey, Cottee. Subs: Walsh, Gilchrist, Arphexad, Oakes, Zagorakis.