Manchester United 3-0 Leeds

	Beckham hits the second from a free-kick (Shaunbotterill/Allsport)

Despite the fiercest examination of his potential, Robinson confirmed the prediction of Leeds manager David O'Leary that he is a certain England goalkeeper of the near future.

But a disputed first goal, a deflected free-kick and a bizarre own goal left Robinson and Leeds on the wrong end of a defeat which hammered home the difference between champions and pretenders.

Fabulous Fabien Barthez, at the opposite end to Robinson, and another huge Old Trafford audience marvelled in unison at the manner in which the confident 21-year-old time and again defied the might of Sir Alex Ferguson's team.

Leeds, deprived of an entire first team through an appalling catalogue of injuries, simply could not entertain hopes of a first victory at Old Trafford since Robinson was a toddling two-year-old. Even Ferguson was moved to extend some genuine words of sympathy.

'You can get away with one or two injuries within your squad, because most teams carry enough players these days,' said Sir Alex. 'But I don't think anyone expected them to win when you saw their team today.

'There were just too many young players and it does not matter how much ability they have, it's about coming to Old Trafford, with all its difficulties because of the experience we have in our ranks.'

Yet, you could not help but marvel at the depth of spirit and enterprise instilled by the loquacious O'Leary into even his decimated forces.

Suffice to say that the home side only took the upper hand on the back of an opening strike which should have been ruled out.

Dwight Yorke was allowed to proceed from an offside position five minutes before half-time, because he was judged initially not to be interfering with play, only to reappear to convert the eventual cross from Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

The sense of relief was palpable because Robinson had already threatened to present an impenetrable barrier. A quality selection of superb saves denied Quinton Fortune and confounded the waspish Solskjaer on a number of occasions.

But we had been reminded of the sheer inevitability of another home victory when David Beckham was dispatched on the half-hour to replace hamstring victim Roy Keane. Beckham proceeded to illuminate this famous old arena with a virtuoso display of intricate technique, astonishing vision and a breathtaking range of passing.

Leeds toiled as best they could to keep up, but when a Beckham free-kick deflected off the defensive wall to completely wrong-foot Robinson five minutes into the second half, the game was well and truly up.

Amid the disappointment and ill-fortune there was another valuable lesson to be learned for the Leeds youngsters, in that the opportunity for their undoing had been conceived by a foolish and totally irresponsible challenge off the ball by Jacob Burns on the troublesome Solskjaer, right on the edge of their penalty area.

Still, Robinson continued to stand tall against the rising tide of a red-shirted onslaught, while those renowned hot-heads Lee Bowyer and Alan Smith foolishly failed to keep their emotions in check.

For United it grew into a performance bordering on exhibition mode, culminating in a barrage of shots from which Robinson continued to excel.

In the 82nd minute, the young goalkeeper was forced to concede for a third and final time - but only by way of an own goal from Matthew Jones as he miskicked while attempting to keep out Solskjaer.

Keane and Teddy Sheringham are judged to be definite non-starters when United resume their Champions League campaign away to Anderlecht on Tuesday but United, unlike Leeds, possess an impressive strength in depth to counter such defects.

'It is very frustrating to come to Old Trafford and not be able to play the team I want,' confessed manager O'Leary. 'But that's life, I suppose. What we have done in the Premiership and Champions League, despite our difficulties, impresses me.