Two brilliant first half goals from Manchester United sent Saints crashing to their second home league defeat in three weeks.

Sir Alex Ferguson's men won for the 16th time in 19 league and cup matches thanks to goals from Ruud van Nistelrooy and Ryan Giggs in front of England manager Sven Goran Eriksson at St Mary's.

United's first goal was touched with magic as Mikael Silvestre picked out David Beckham with a raking crossfield pass. The England skipper chipped down the line where Gary Neville crossed for van Nistelrooy to give the Red Devils a 15th-minute lead with his 26th goal of the season in all competitions.

That advantage was doubled seven minutes later when Juan Veron left Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's right wing cross to Ryan Giggs and he netted at the second attempt after his initial effort was blocked by the fit-again Claus Lundekvam.

Saints, who have now not won in three home games, worked hard throughout and always competed, but were unable to create more than a handful of chances.

There was bad news for the goalkeepers, though, with both Fabien Barthez and Antti Niemi being stretchered off after clashes with Michael Svensson and van Nistelrooy respectively

FOR FULL MATCH REPORTS, ANALYSIS AND PICTURES SEE TONIGHT'S PINK AND MONDAY'S DAILY ECHO.