Manchester United 2 Southampton 1

Last updated : 02 November 2002 By Footymad Previewer

Diego Forlan came to Manchester United's rescue for the second week running when his brilliant 85th minute strike sealed victory against a plucky Southampton side at Old Trafford.

The 23-year-old striker, who scored his first goal for United in open play last Saturday at home to Aston Villa on his 35th United appearance, struck again as the game looked to be heading for a draw.

Forlan had been on the pitch only six minutes after replacing Phil Neville when a quickly taken free kick by Paul Scholes was helped on by Juan Veron to the Uruguayan.

Forlan looked up before hitting a screaming 25-yard right-foot shot into the top right corner of the Saints net.

As after last week's goal against Villa, Forlan celebrated by whipping off his shirt - only this time he struggled to get it back on as the game continued.

United just about deserved the win on the strength of sustained second-half pressure, but Southampton will feel disappointed.

After losing 12 of their last 13 games at Old Trafford, 6-1 and 5-0 in the last two seasons - they looked to have laid the ghost of their theatre of screams.

Phil Neville had completed the United rout in last season's 6-1 win and he broke the deadlock in the 15th minute.

Scholes' precision pass split the Saints back line and as the defenders peeled away, Neville ran on to score with a left-foot shot from the edge of the box which took a slight deflection off Claus Lundekvam.

However, United's lead lasted only three minutes.

Anders Svensson, James Beattie and Brett Ormerod carved the opening for Fabrice Fernandes to score with a sweet right-foot shot from the corner of the United penalty area.

United were denied by a goalline clearance three minutes later when David Beckham's glancing header from a Ryan Giggs corner was kicked to safety by Matt Oakley.

Ruud van Nistelrooy twice went close for United, although United goalkeeper Fabien Barthez was forced to produce an excellent full-length save to tip away Beattie's 48th minute shot