Manchester United stayed in the hunt for the English premier league title with an unconvincing 1-0 win at relegation-haunted Ipswich tonight.
A controversial first half penalty by Ruud van Nistelrooy secured the points for the injury-hit champions, who are bidding for a record fourth successive title.
The Dutchman tumbled in the area under pressure from two Ipswich defenders before keeping his cool to slot his 23rd league goal of the season.
The win lifted Alex Ferguson's side above Liverpool into second place, two points behind leaders Arsenal who visit Bolton Wanderers on Monday knowing they have a game in hand over both their title rivals.
Liverpool's push for their first league title since 1990 suffered a heavy blow earlier in the day when they slumped to a 1-0 defeat at Tottenham.
Gerard Houllier's side trail Arsenal by four points with two games left to play.
Ipswich must now win their final game -- away to Liverpool -- and hope Sunderland lose at home to relegated Derby in order to secure their survival in the top flight. -Reuters