DANNY HIGGINBOTHAM is focussed on cementing his place back in the team after forming a promising left-sided partnership with Graeme Le Saux.

Steve Wigley opted for solidity on both flanks against the flair of Cristiano Ronaldo and Ryan Giggs, with Higginbotham and Le Saux on the left, while Paul Telfer and Mikael Nilsson doubled up on the right.

It was the first league start for Higginbotham since the end of August and he was happy to come in at left-back.

The former Manchester United man performed that role for long periods last season, but had been used as a centre-back earlier in this campaign.

"Graeme Le Saux is a top player - one of the best left-sided players about," he said.

"I feel comfortable playing alongside him and if we continue for a home game we can get more attacking.

"Graeme has been there and done it. I do feel comfortable now at left-back. I'm just happy to be playing.

"I started some games earlier in the season and I didn't do so well and now I hope to cement my place in the team."

It was a game of two halves for Saints, with the game-plan to frustrate Manchester United working well until Paul Scholes' header early in the second period.

Higginbotham admitted it was very difficult to get back into the game once United had struck with goals from Wayne Rooney and Ronaldo securing a comprehensive 3-0 defeat.

"We played well in the first-half but it was obviously difficult when they took the lead and they played well," said Higginbotham, below.

"It was always going to be difficult - it's a game that probably no-one expected us to win.

"We were very compact in the first 45 minutes. In the second-half they exploited the space. The way we conceded the first goal was very disappointing.

"In the first-half, our defending was strong. We weren't able to get forward enough, but they were only really creating chances from quite far out.

"They have some top-class players and obviously once you go down it is difficult because you do leave gaps.

"They are also playing their best football of the season."

Of next week's visit of Middlesbrough, Higginbotham added: "They are all massive games for us now and we have to put this one away and look to the next one."