Italian international, Nicole Berti, made his first start for Spurs since his move from Inter Milan last week.

Playing alongside the German star, Jurgen Klinsmann - the man who was instrumental in bringing Berti to White Hart Lane. But their continental flair was no match for the mighty Reds.

Two goal hero Ryan Giggs (Dur 1' 57")

The toast of Old Trafford was Ryan Giggs who scored in both halves ensuring the 2-0 victory.

United took just two minutes to slice Spurs open when Sheringham played through Ryan Giggs and he squared the ball to Andy Cole only for the keeper, Espen Baardsen, to save the shot with his foot.

Four minutes later Colin Calderwood's poor clearance fell to Giggs who drove a 25-yard shot past the post.

Tottenham were making little headway against the champions as they searched for their first victory at Old Trafford since December 1989.

Sol Campbell prevented a certain goal for Cole on 13 minutes when he got a vital touch to deflect Sheringham's cross away from the advancing United striker for a corner.

Mike Ingham reports (Dur 50")

Paul Scholes released Cole on the left with a great pass and Spurs scrambled his cross away at the second attempt for yet another corner.

After that bright start United seemed to relax due to the lack of threat from a Spurs side missing the creativity of their French star, David Ginola.

Andy Cole squandered a couple of chances but the game was starting to take on a lack-lustre sheen.

But just as Christian Gross's men were thinking about going into the break with honours even, the Spurs keeper, Baardsen, gifted United a goal.

The keeper, admittedly under pressure, dropped David Beckham's high cross and the Welshman rifled the ball home.

The second period started more brightly than the first 45 minutes. Beckham's whipped-in free-kick was well-gathered low down by Baardsen in the first minute after the half-time interval.

Baardsen saved again a minute later when he caught Sheringham's shot from the edge of the area.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer then unleashed a rasping shot from the edge of the penalty area, but once more it was comfortably caught by Baardsen.

Cole was next to break free, but he fluffed his shot and Baardsen saved.

Halfway through the second half a raking cross-field pass from Paul Scholes found David Beckham running into space on the right side. His look-up and cross was met by Giggs, who headed powerfully past the despairing Baardsen.

After the second goal United coasted, playing the ball around and making Berti and Klinsmann chase the ball.

United could have had a hat-full but the lack of any real opposition from Spurs made it difficult for Alex Ferguson's men to really get going.

Spurs may have some world-class players in Berti, Klinsmann and arguably Sol Campbell but what they really need now are points.
 

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