United go clear with late goal

Manchester United took a long time to disturb a disciplined, tightly organised Sheffield Wednesday defence last night and when they did begin to find their range they were frustrated by a series of saves by Pavel Srnicek.

Wednesday's Czech goalkeeper deflected a header from Teddy Sheringham and a powerful shot from Roy Keane over and then blocked Dwight Yorke's header on the line. But in the 73rd minute he was beaten when Ryan Giggs sent Teddy Sheringham through and the striker slipped the ball into the net under the goalkeeper's body as Srnicek and Peter Atherton converged.

With 10 points out of the last 15, Wednesday were entitled to approach the game feeling more chipper than just over a month ago. Yet their removal from the FA Cup by Gillingham at the weekend was an indication of just how fragile the new-found confidence of Danny Wilson's team was.

A swift, shrewd through-ball from Niclas Alexandersson, which cut out Roy Keane and Nicky Butt in midfield, might have served Wednesday better had Wim Jonk been more inclined to shoot instead of setting up Gilles de Bilde for an airy shot over.

There was a nice shape and movement about Wednesday but they tended to shoot from too great a range.

Initially, United appeared in no hurry to up the tempo or seek opportunities to catch the opposition on the break. They were content to spar with Wednesday and neither Keane nor David Beckham made more than sporadic contact with Yorke and Sheringham, who was again preferred to Andy Cole up front.

Then towards half-time United began to move the ball about more briskly, with Giggs beginning to turn Wednesday on the left. This is often the way of things when United are on the road; one moment they are a minimal threat, the next they always seem to have two or three players running into spaces near goal.

Sheffield Wednesday: Srnicek, Nolan, Atherton, Walker, Hinchcliffe, Alexandersson, Jonk, Scott (Rudi 60), Haslam, De Bilde (Donnelly 69), Sibon (Cresswell 82). Subs Not Used: Pressman, Staniforth. Booked: Nolan.

Manchester United: Bosnich, G Neville, Stam, Silvestre, Irwin, Beckham, Butt (Scholes 46), Keane, Giggs, Sheringham, Yorke. Subs Not Used: Van Der Gouw, Cole, P Neville, Solskjaer. Goals: Sheringham 73.

Referee: S Dunn (Bristol).