The spirit of Massimo Taibi returned to Old Trafford to haunt Paul Jones when the Southampton goalkeeper dropped a clanger to gift Manchester United the lead.

Jones was at the opposite end last season when Taibi was beaten by a gentle daisycutter and this time it was the Welshman's turn to be embarrassed when he let Andy Cole's ninth-minute shot trickle between his legs.

Jones was beaten again in first-half stoppage time when Teddy Sheringham chipped him to give the champions a comfortable half time cushion.

United rejigged their defence after the midweek defeat in Anderlecht, bringing in Wes Brown and Phil Neville, who played at right back with Denis Irwin switching to left back.

The champions began confidently and David Beckham just failed to find Nicky Butt with a beautifully-flighted ball.

Southampton responded and Hassan Kachloul sent a dipping effort over the bar.

Last season's fixture will be remembered for Massimo Taibi's blunder when he let Matthew Le Tissier's daisy cutter trundle between his legs and on nine minutes Saints goalkeeper Paul Jones dropped almost as big a howler.

There seemed little danger when Andy Cole turned and shot from around 20 yards out, but Jones fumbled the effort, which was straight at him, and the ball trickled through his legs and over the line.

Jones, who has already been dropped this season, was clearly rattled and he gathered a Beckham corner at his near post at the second attempt.

Saints tried to recover from their self-inflicted wound and Barthez smothered a drive from Mark Draper before he held a header from Kevin Davies.

Davies then broke down the right, but his cross was too far in front of Kachloul, who was running in at the back post.

The fit-again Sheringham was left red-faced after he swung and missed the ball from a great chance and fell over in the process.

Saints, with only win in their last 27 league visits to Old Trafford, were enjoying more than their fair share of possession and Draper shot wastefully over after he had been set up by Kachloul.

United went close to doubling their lead when Sheringham rose to head Beckham's corner just wide from around seven yards out.

Beckham linked up with Sheringham again, this time with the former crossing from the right for the latter to send a bouncing header wide of the right-hand post.

Tahar El Khalej cleared a Sheringham shot before the persevering England striker found the back of the net seconds later in first-half stoppage time.

Sheringham spotted Jones off his line and beat him with a delightful chip for his ninth goal of the season.