United blunt a keen rivalry

There was no retribution for Gordon Strachan last night, just a resigned acknowledgement that the superiority that rather spitefully…

There was no retribution for Gordon Strachan last night, just a resigned acknowledgement that the superiority that rather spitefully underpinned Alex Ferguson's much-publicised criticism of the Coventry manager echoes more constructively in the Manchester United team.

A late consolation goal from John Aloisi was not enough to cancel out an earlier strike by Paul Scholes and Dwight Yorke's header as the champions maintained their lead at the top of the Premiership and the two managers showed their lingering frostiness as they left the pitch at the end without shaking hands.

Strachan's admiration for United's footballing ability remains undimmed, however, as witnessed by his decision to start the game with a packed midfield and just Robbie Keane up front.

An inclination to stand off United as they went forward almost led to a goal from the champions on 20 minutes when Yorke was allowed space to shoot and thumped the ball against the post from 20 yards. Three minutes later Yorke set up Ryan Giggs for a shot which whizzed just past the upright and shortly before the break Yorke himself fired just wide.

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Coventry exuded characteristic enthusiasm but a lack of penetration in attack let them down. Their problems were compounded just past the half-hour when Noel Whelan, who had been reinforcing midfield, came off worse in a heavy challenge and had to be taken to hospital with a serious leg injury.

After the break, United slowly began to turn the screw. The champions almost inevitably took the lead on 62 minutes when Scholes, another player rested from the starting line-up, somewhat fortunately scored two minutes after coming on when his 16-yard shot deflected off Gary Breen and past Magnus Hedman.

Fifteen minutes from time United added a second. Scholes's 40-yard pass found David Beckham, whose right-wing cross in turn found Yorke unmarked six yards out and the striker dispatched the ball past Hedman with a downward header.

Coventry City: Hedman, Breen (Konjic 84), Shaw, Williams, Edworthy, Chippo, McAllister, Hadji (Aloisi 70), Froggatt, Whelan (Telfer 34), Keane. Subs Not Used: Nuzzo, Strachan. Booked: Froggatt. Goals: Aloisi 80.

Manchester United: Van Der Gouw, Neville (Curtis 79), Irwin, Stam, Berg, Beckham, Butt (Scholes 61), Keane, Giggs, Sheringham (Solskjaer 73), Yorke. Subs Not Used: Culkin, Cole. Booked: Beckham. Goals: Scholes 62, Yorke 75.

Referee: A Wilkie (Chester Le Street).