Football: United with fuel in the tank

Southampton 0 Manchester United 3

JINXED INDEED. Driven by an inspired Roy Keane at their heart, Manchester United scored one goal for each of the three defeats they have suffered at The Dell in the past three seasons to cruise to a comfortable victory on Saturday and move stealthily into second place.

In doing so they not only demonstrated that most necessary skill of title aspirants, winning while not playing to the best of their abilities, they also highlighted the chasm in resources between the two sides. "It was a determined performance but I don't think it was a particularly good performance," Alex Ferguson, United's manager, said afterwards. "After the fortnight we've had, [including losing to Arsenal and making the trip to Munich for the tiring 2-2 Champions' League draw with Bayern], with the difficult games we've had, I think we've got to be very pleased with the result."

Not just the result, but the manner of the victory. Dwight Yorke, partnering Andy Cole up front for only the second time in the league, scored to put the visitors ahead. Cole added a second on the hour - after sterling work by the Swede, Jesper Blomqvist, who had a magnificent game - and then Jordi Cruyff took the third, minutes after coming on as a substitute.

The strength of Saturday's squad alone is ominous for United's rivals, even without Peter Schmeichel, Ryan Giggs or Paul Scholes - who must now be doubtful for England's Euro 2000 qualifier against Bulgaria on Saturday - but perhaps the most telling performance was that of Keane, who appears to be returning to the form that was so integral to United's dominance before last season's long injury lay-off.

"I'm now seeing Keane at his best," Ferguson said. "When he's got that dynamo going, making 40 and 50-yard runs through the channels, it's very refreshing." Arsenal may have won the title last year, but only by one point. It is not too far-fetched to believe Keane will be worth a whole lot more than that between now and May if his progress continues.

For Southampton, with one point from 24, the tempest of ill-fortune continues to rage. Despite giving one of their better displays of the season, they were unable to capitalise on their few chances and there was little to show for the hour of graft they put in before surrendering the points.

So what is behind the current abysmal run? Simple bad luck? A lack of team spirit? No genuine quality? None of these, really. A lack of a clinical finisher is most obvious, with Ostenstad missing chances, Matt Le Tissier some way from his volley-clattering best and Mark Hughes - suspended on Saturday - still to live up to his star billing. There is also the issue of making a side full of youngsters and new faces gel with old favourites. And then there is that all-important ingredient, confidence, which has shown few signs of making an appearance.

"I'm disappointed but not despondent and I shall keep on battling and fighting," Dave Jones, the Southampton manager, said. "There is life in us yet; we just need that break."

Last season the Saints had four points after nine games and finished 12th. Unfortunately, adding three points to their one this time might be more difficult - their ninth game is at Arsenal. Jones may have to be patient for a while longer.

Goals: Yorke (11) 0-1; Cole (59) 0-2; Cruyff (74) 0-3.

Southampton (4-4-2): Jones; Warner, Monkou, Lundekvam (Gibbens, 55), Benali; Ripley (Beattie, 63), Howells, Palmer, Bridge; Ostenstad, Le Tissier. Substitutes not used: Hiley, Basham, Moss (gk).

Manchester United (4-4-2): Van der Gouw; P Neville, G Neville, Stam, Irwin (Brown, 78); Beckham, Keane, Butt, Blomqvist (Sheringham, 72); Cole, Yorke (Cruyff, 72). Substitutes not used: Berg, Solskjaer.

Referee: D Elleray (Harrow on the Hill).

Bookings: Southampton: Palmer. Manchester United: Keane.

Man of the match: Keane.

Attendance: 15,251.