Beattie's header sinks United to completes black week for Ferguson

Southampton 1 Manchester United 0

Last week Ferguson was sent off at Newcastle and yesterday he was ‘booked’ by David Beckham’s revelations of their relationship in an autobiography. However, it is doubtful if Fergie felt any worse than yesterday at St Mary’s where Southampton inflicted United’s first Premiership defeat since St Stephen’s Day, courtesy of Beattie’s close-range header two minutes from time.

United’s new American goalkeeper Tim Howard had to take the blame for letting a Graeme Le Saux corner sail over his head and give Beattie a goal on a plate. The striker, who nearly won the Golden Boot last season with 23 goals, does not miss opportunities like that.