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Robin van Persie scored a hat-trick, including a stoppage time winner, as Manchester United snatched a 3-2 victory over Southampton in a rip roaring contest at St Mary's.

United trailed the match with just three minutes to go before a Van Persie double made up for an earlier penalty miss from the Dutchman when he was caught out for trying a cheeky chip.

His winner in stoppage time though was his 100th Premier League goal and made sure that Sir Alex Ferguson's 1,000th league game in charge of Manchester United would be a memorable one.

It was tough luck on Southampton though who played superbly for most of the contest and were twice in front but they remain without a point in this their first Premier League season for seven years.

United started the match the brighter side and dominated possession in the early exchanges but Southampton then started to come into it after a nervy opening 10 minutes and in the 16th minute they took the lead.

Shinji Kagawa, who struggled with the pace of the game at times, was caught in possession in midfield. The ball was eventually played out to Jason Puncheon on the left and he stood up a fine cross to the back post. Waiting there was Rickie Lambert who peeled onto the mismatched Rafael before guiding his header into the corner of the net.

United levelled just seven minutes later courtesy of a trademark finish from Van Persie. The Dutch striker took Antonio Valencia's cross from the right on his chest at the back post and then drilled the ball low into the opposite corner. He had all the time in the world to do so too after Nathaniel Clyne had slipped.

It wouldn't be the only time Clyne would lose balance in such a way either. He was lucky later in the half when Patrice Evra was able to get a header on target after Clyne again lost his footing with Kelvin Davis this time getting him out of jail with a decent save.

It was end to end stuff at times in the first half with both sides looking capable of adding more goals.

Adam Lallana was popping up everywhere for Southampton and was at the hub of most of their attacks while on a couple of occasions United nearly caught out Southampton with long balls over the top aimed at Van Persie.

The second half was similarly breathless and St Mary's was rocking again in the 55th minute when Southampton retook the lead.

Again it came from a header; this time Lambert was the provider as he curled a right-footed cross to the back post, Evra then slipped in similar fashion to Clyne earlier, allowing Morgan Schneiderlin to run in unchallenged and head into the corner of the net.

Southampton gifted United the chance to level in the 68th minute when, for the second time in the match, Kelvin Davis saw a poor pass out of his goal pounced upon by United. The ball was eventually played into Van Persie in the box and Jos Hooiveld foolishly brought him down from behind for a penalty.

But Van Persie showed he is not perfect with an ill-advised spot-kick. He tried to chip it into the corner in a lethargic, almost Panenka style, but Davis made up for his error by getting a hand on it and pushing it wide.

The game buzzed on with intensity and up until Nigel Adkins decided to take off his three dangerous attackers – Lallana, Lambert and Puncheon – in the final 15 minutes, Southampton looked as likely to score a third as United an equaliser.

However, United got on top of proceedings in the closing stages and Van Persie tapped home the equaliser from close range in the 88th minute after Rio Ferdinand had headed a Rafael cross off the post.

That seemed harsh enough on Southampton but the true dagger was to come in the second minute of stoppage time when Van Persie peeled away from the front post to angle a header superbly into the opposite corner from Nani's fine corner.

It was only Van Persie's second start in a United shirt but he has already netted four goals to take his total Premier League tally up to 100.

Fitness permitting there are sure to be many more goals to come from the Dutchman in a United shirt, but few are likely to be as dramatic as his late winner here.

Robin van Persie's Manchester United debut proved a chastening experience as Everton, inspired by a majestic performance from Marouane Fellaini, opened their Premier League campaign with a 1-0 victory at Goodison Park.

The Dutchman was restricted to a place on the United bench following his £24 million move from Arsenal and prior to his introduction on 68 minutes the vantage point offered him an excellent view as Fellaini enthusiastically and ruthlessly laid waste to a brittle and vulnerable United defence.

A spate of injuries forced United to pit Michael Carrick against the Belgium international but it was not just the makeshift defender that Fellaini terrorised: few players in a United shirt were left untouched by a bruising display of physicality and technical ability that took the game away from the visitors and decisively towards Everton.

It was fitting that Fellaini scored the winner after 57 minutes, and so too was the manner in which he beat David De Gea, brushing Carrick aside to power home a header that ensured United's first defeat in their opening league fixture since 2004.

Only twice in the history of the Premier League has a team lost their first match and gone on to win the title.

Citing Van Persie's lack of football since Euro 2012, Ferguson opted to leave his new signing on the bench but Shinji Kagawa - whose arrival has been overshadowed by that of the former Arsenal captain - was given his Premier League debut, playing in front of Tom Cleverley and Paul Scholes.

At 37 years and 278 days old, Scholes was the oldest outfield player to have appeared in the opening round of Premier League fixtures and he soon demonstrated that none of the famous facets of his game have dulled with his advancing years as he linked up nicely with his team-mates, went close with one volley from outside the box and earned a yellow card for a horrible challenge on former United man Darron Gibson.

Still, Scholes and his two midfield cohorts were comprehensively dominated by an outstanding performance from Fellaini, as the big Belgian picked up from where he left off in the 4-4 draw between the two sides at Old Trafford last season that effectively ended United's title aspirations.

His masterful display unsettled United with regularity and as early as 15 minutes he struck the post from a tight angle after escaping the clutches of makeshift defenders Antonio Valencia and Carrick all too easily.

Fellaini then clattered into De Gea from a corner, an incident that early last season may have left the young Spaniard disorientated and reticent. However, the United keeper responded to the challenge and was his side's outstanding player.

After 24 minutes the Spaniard was forced to tip over an opportunistic header from Steven Pienaar from a corner having already repelled a low effort from Nikica Jelavic in the move that led to the set-piece; later he looked on helplessly as Fellaini found space once again, produced an outrageous piece of control to pull down a cross at the back post and spin in one swift movement before thumping his shot wide on the turn.

United threatened only sporadically. But Kagawa's debut was promising - the Japan international replicating the fluidity of movement and deftness of touch that made him such a resounding success at Borussia Dortmund, and on one occasion teeing up Wayne Rooney for a header that went wide with a gorgeous floated cross.

The visitors were struggling to turn possession into chances, even if Rooney saw one good free-kick turned around the post and should have scored when drilling a shot at Tim Howard from 10 yards.

However, the first half continued to mould itself around the figures of Fellaini and De Gea: while Everton's midfield juggernaut continued to swat opponents aside with contemptuous ease and continually punch holes in the visiting defence, the United keeper responded admirably by denying Pienaar and Leon Osman with two tremendous stops, before topping even those efforts when stretching out his right arm to paw at a Leighton Baines free-kick that was destined for the top corner.

Having presumably spent a decent portion of the half-time team talk discussing coping strategies for Fellaini, United were once again left helpless just four minutes into the second half.

Fellaini started the move as Everton shifted the ball wide to Tony Hibbert and then charged into the box to jump above Nemanja Vidic and head the ball down to Osman, who connected well with his volley but saw the ball cannon off the underside of the bar.

United broke immediately, and only a desperate challenge from Phil Jagielka prevented Danny Welbeck from testing Howard following another neat through-ball from Kagawa. But there was no mistaking the most influential man on the night, and on 57 minutes Fellaini scored the goal his efforts more than merited.

Baines delivered a fine corner from the right and, exploiting once again the fact that United had put Carrick up against him from set-pieces, Fellaini rose above his marker - beaten and broken in the presence of the Belgian - to thump a header past De Gea in the United goal.

Cleverley saw an effort cleared off the line by Jagielka following a cute lay-off from Kagawa but with United struggling for a consistent threat, Van Persie was introduced after 68 minutes in place of Welbeck, the Dutchman's arrival seemingly convincing Everton to sit back on their lead.

With 10 minutes remaining, Van Persie collected the ball to the right of the box and slipped a sumptuous pass through the legs of Sylvain Distin to try and find Kawaga square. However, Howard raced off his line quickly to put the Japan international off and deflect the ball over the bar. It was perhaps the brightest moment from the Dutchman in a rather subdued performance.

Everton invited pressure late on but Jagielka led a fine defensive performance as United proved unable to open up the home side. Fellaini and Everton departed with the three points they so richly deserved.

Manchester United came from three goals down to draw 3-3 at Chelsea in a pulsating Premier League match at Stamford Bridge.

Second-half strikes from Juan Mata and David Luiz added to a first-half own-goal by Jonny Evans to bring up a 3-0 scoreline that flattered the hosts somewhat.

But United raised their game and, spearheaded by Wayne Rooney – who netted two penalties – they drew level thanks to a late Javier Hernandez header.

David De Gea made an incredible late save to deny Mata’s wonderful free-kick, with the Spaniard tipping over a Gary Cahill effort at the death as the spoils were shared in West London.

The result means United are two points behind leaders Manchester City, while fourth-placed Chelsea edge a point ahead of Newcastle United, who beat Aston Villa earlier on Sunday.

Chelsea will be wondering how they failed to win the game given their position before United’s first penalty went in on 58 minutes.

Questions will again be asked of Andre Villas-Boas’s tactical acuity: Daniel Sturridge had been a livewire all match, forcing Evans’s own-goal and leading the line with confidence, while Torres – for all his hard work – looked lost once more, picking up a fourth booking since last February that means he has seen yellow more often than the back of the net for the Blues, although he did get a fine assist.

But when United pulled it back to 3-2 following a contentious penalty given when Danny Welbeck bought contact from Branislav Ivanovic, the Portuguese coach removed Sturridge and not Torres for Oriol Romeu.

Romeu has good positional sense, but he had a limited impact - possibly startled by the intensity of the occasion - while it is common knowledge that retreating into a defensive shell plays to Manchester United's strengths of relentless attack from all angles.

John Terry was missing for Chelsea with fellow defender Ashley Cole also absent; United, meanwhile, welcomed back Rooney and Ashley Young from injury, although Nani failed to make the squad.

A tense first half saw United make most of the running, while Chelsea got the lucky breaks – including one that Reds fans will insist cancels out their questionable penalty.

Referee Howard Webb failed to penalise a clear foul from Cahill, which started outside the area but left Welbeck in a heap when he was through on goal. Had it been given, Chelsea would most likely have gone down to 10 men at an early stage.

The Blues’ second slice of fortune resulted in them taking the lead: Sturridge did well to beat a sluggish Patrice Evra to the by-line, but his low cross flew past De Gea and in off the chest of a helpless Evans.

Chelsea went close to an immediate second when Sturridge forced a smart stop from De Gea, so United cranked up the pressure, creating chances through Young, Welbeck and Rooney – Petr Cech making fine saves to deny all three.

The second half seemed to be set for a United comeback but, practically from the restart, Chelsea doubled their lead with a wonderful goal.

Torres was in acres of space down the right with Evra again missing. The goal-shy striker floated over a delightful cross that landed to his diminutive Spain team-mate Mata: in a flash, and with marvellous technique, the former Valencia playmaker hammered an incredible volley that flew past De Gea into the roof of the net.

It was some goal and within three minutes it was 3-0, although a combination of poor defending and yet more luck saw Luiz meet Mata’s free-kick with a header, allowed to do so by poor marking and helped past De Gea by the shoulder of Rio Ferdinand.

Sir Alex Ferguson responded by introducing Hernandez, but the Mexican super-sub was not involved as Evra went some way to compensating for his defensive frailties by bounding into the box to draw a clumsy challenge from Sturridge.

It was a penalty and Rooney responded with a clean finish into the roof of the net, bringing it back to 3-1.

While that decision was clear, United’s second spot-kick was dubious to say the least: in an almost-identical incident to that which saw Manchester City’s Adam Johnson win a penalty off Fulham’s Chris Baird on Saturday, Welbeck hung a leg out to draw contact off Serb defender Ivanovic.

It was gamesmanship by Welbeck and Webb – perhaps with his earlier mistake in mind – pointed to the spot, Ivanovic’s righteous disbelief mimicking that of Baird’s at Eastlands. Rooney was not put off though, coolly slotting the penalty one way and sending Cech the other, and it was game on.

The England striker was at the heart of everything, taking the game to Chelsea and ably supported by marauding wide-man Antonio Valencia, who had been put to right-back following Paul Scholes’s entrance but was playing more like Cafu than Gary Neville.

As United piled forward, Chelsea were still creating chances – De Gea making a decent stop from Michael Essien’s long-range hammer, and Torres delaying his shot enough for Valencia to block after the misfiring Spaniard played himself past Evans with a clever header.

But the script insisted United should complete the miraculous comeback, and they did so in some style as – after another bounding run and cross from Valencia – Rooney drew a fine stop from Cech: Ryan Giggs picked it up wide left and, as he has done for what seems like an eternity, the old man of the Premier League curled a wonderful cross that Hernandez was destined to meet with a headed goal.

There was still time for some late drama as De Gea went some way to compensating for errors in previous matches with a miracle stop from Mata’s curling free-kick, showing incredibly agility and speed to pluck the ball from the top right.

The former Atletico Madrid man was called into action again when, in the fourth minute of injury time, a trademark Cahill piledriver was tipped over for a corner.

United were not to be undone, holding out for the draw, and – while they remain behind City – they are still very much in the hunt for the title.

Chelsea, meanwhile, continue to look over their shoulders at Newcastle and Arsenal as the threat of finishing outside the top four looms.

Wayne Rooney scored twice as Manchester United responded to their crushing European disappointment with a comfortable 4-1 Premier League win over Wolverhampton Wanderers at Old Trafford.

Nani scored United's first and set up Rooney for the second - the Englishman's first domestic goal in almost three months - to move the defending champions within two points of leaders Manchester City, who play at Chelsea on Monday.

Steven Fletcher continued his fine recent form by pulling a goal back a minute into the second half, but it was not enough to see Wolves claim what would have been a vital point.

Nani and Rooney then both struck again to make it five wins from United's last six league games. Rooney's second goal was his 113th in the league for United, moving him into the top 10 of the club's all-time goal scorers ahead of Tommy Taylor.

For all their characteristic work rate and togetherness, Wolves never looked likely to repeat their 2-1 win over United at Molineux in February once Fletcher's first-minute effort flew wide of David de Gea's near post.

The Red Devils soon took hold of the game and could have been ahead on seven minutes when Antonio Valencia - starting in place of Ashley Young - crossed for Michael Carrick, who sent his diving header just over from 12 yards.

Alex Ferguson's side took the lead on 17 minutes as an eventual result of Wolves keeper Wayne Hennessey's miscued clearance. That led to the Welsh keeper saving Rooney's effort at the near post at the expense of a corner, and after that set piece was not cleared sufficiently Nani roamed across the edge of the box before firing a clinical low strike into the bottom corner for his fourth league goal of the season.

Nani was then sent free down the left after an excellent through ball from Danny Welbeck, but Phil Jones was put under enough pressure not to be able to turn in the Portuguese's cross for what would have been his third goal in as many games.

Nani turned provider as the half-hour mark approached with a goal very similar to his opener. Once again Wolves could not fully clear a corner and Nani rolled the ball across to Rooney, whose low finish was too quick for Hennessey to keep out.

That goal took Rooney's league goal tally into double figures for the season, despite it being his first domestic strike since the 3-1 win over Chelsea on September 18.

United continued to dominate proceedings but could not extend their lead before half-time, and soon after the restart they were given a fright when Fletcher outjumped Patrice Evra to head Matt Jarvis's cross back over De Gea and in for his fifth goal in six games.

Nani restored United's two-goal cushion in 57 minutes. Antonio Valencia had given left-back Stephen Ward a torrid time for much of the afternoon, and on this occasion the Ecuadorean ran at the Irishman before firing a low cross in that Nani prodded home from the edge of the six-yard box.

Five minutes later, Rooney had his second of the game again thanks to Valencia. The cross came to the England striker at the far post and he fired a delightful half-volley on the turn that gave Hennessey no chance of saving it.

Ferguson felt comfortable enough at 4-1 up to bring 19-year-old left-back Ezekiel Fryers on for his Premier League debut, and the youngster helped United close out a game which may not provide much of a tonic for their European failure but aid least aids them in their league title defence, now unquestionably their top priority.

Manchester United clung onto the coat-tails of leaders Manchester City when beating Aston Villa 1-0 in a Premier League match at Villa Park that made for painful viewing.

Long spells of mediocrity, from the home side in particular, were largely punctured by injuries as Javier Hernandez suffered an apparently serious ankle blow and Shay Given was withdrawn with a hamstring problem in the first half, with Jermaine Jenas later joining them on the sidelines.

The only real glimpse of genuine quality in the contest came after 20 minutes when Phil Jones scored his first senior goal with a lovely finish from Nani's cross. It proved to be the critical moment in an instantly forgettable contest.

The result means United reclaim second place from Tottenham, who earlier won at home to Bolton, and remain five points shy of City. Villa, with just two wins in 13, are eighth but with concerns growing among supporters about the tactical and stylistic approach of manager Alex McLeish.

After a low-key start to proceedings at Villa Park, the game suffered a lengthy stoppage when Hernandez went over on his ankle. The striker required plenty of treatment and left the pitch on a stretcher and in considerable pain, adding to United's attacking problems with Dimitar Berbatov and Michael Owen both injured at present.

Rather than push Ashley Young into a central role, it was instead Nani who was asked to come inside when Antonio Valencia took to the pitch and the Portugal international quickly found himself at the centre of the action when firing a shot well off target.

With Villa offering little of note, it was left to United to take the initiative and Chris Smalling saw a smart shot on the turn blocked by Richard Dunne and Stephen Warnock after Nemanja Vidic headed back across goal from a corner after 19 minutes.

Just 60 seconds later United were in front as they exploited some poor defending from the home side. Nani was afforded far too much space on the left and he had no problem dinking in a cross to Jones, who was left completely unmarked to produce an accomplished volleyed finish with his instep for his first senior goal.

With Villa apparently unable to string together a succession of passes, United went close to a second on 25 minutes. Dunne's mistake allowed Rooney to take possession and after he found Valencia, the winger crossed for Nani who saw his header saved by Given. It was then Valencia's turn to threaten as he collected possession 25 yards from goal and unleashed a fearsome effort that flew narrowly over the bar.

Villa's disappointing evening continued when they were forced into a change of their own after 38 minutes, with Given apparently suffering a hamstring strain to be replaced by Brad Guzan. The discontent of the home fans was audible around Villa Park when a poor first half, extended by eight additional minutes, finally came to an end.

McLeish was unable to coax much more out of his side in the second half as a rather dismal game continued in a similar vein. Rooney and Gabriel Agbonlahor had half-chances and those home supporters inside Villa Park were forced to wait until the 70th minute to see a chance of note from their team.

Agbonlahor won a corner when his shot was deflected up and over the bar and when Dunne flicked it on to the back post, substitute Emile Heskey should have done much better than nodding the ball off target.

The chance appeared to inject a bit of life into the match and after Young dragged a shot wide of the post following a nice run infield, James Collins threatened at the other end when his firm header from Dunne's hopeful ball into the box forced a smart reaction save from Anders Lindegaard.

Rooney threatened late on while substitute Danny Welbeck was correctly ruled offside when collecting a pass from the striker and rolling the ball past Guzan. It was an underwhelming conclusion to an underwhelming evening.

Wayne Rooney's stunning overhead kick sealed a 2-1 derby victory for Premier League leaders Manchester United over Manchester City at Old Trafford.

Nani opened the scoring in the run-up to the end of an even first half, in which City showed more attacking intent than any point during the drab goalless reverse fixture at Eastlands back in November.

David Silva drew the visitors level on 65 minutes with a fortunate deflected goal he knew little about, but it was no less than City deserved.

However, with 12 minutes of the match remaining Rooney produced a magical winner to send United eight points above their title-chasing local rivals.

Rooney's recent progress back towards his blistering form of a year ago has been slow and uneven since the turn of the year, but this acrobatic moment of pure genius cannot help but raise hopes that he will rediscover his glorious best sooner rather than later.

Both sides were unable to field entirely first-choice line-ups. Chris Smalling made his first appearance in a Manchester derby in defence with Rio Ferdinand and Jonny Evans both unavailable, while Alex Ferguson again elected to drop league top scorer Dimitar Berbatov to the bench for a big game.

Roberto Mancini also named his own big-money striker, Edin Dzeko, as a substitute and moved full-back Aleksandar Kolarov up the pitch to bolster a midfield missing the injured Nigel de Jong.

Although United began in confident fashion, City had plenty of moments, mainly orchestrated by Silva. The diminutive Spaniard should have had City ahead after four minutes when Carlos Tevez slipped a cute through ball into his path inside the box, but he fired wide of the far post from an angle.

United's own instrumental Iberian, Nani, looked determined to grab his first derby goal, fizzing strikes over the bar and firing right at keeper Joe Hart from range throughout the half.

Ryan Giggs, playing in his 34th derby for United, was equally influential for the home side, bending in an inviting cross which Darren Fletcher could only head down at Hart's feet.

The veteran winger's precision came to the fore for the opening goal which allowed Nani to cap off a classic Route One goal on 41 minutes. Edwin van der Sar's long boot up the pitch was flicked on by Rooney, who had been for the most part shackled by Vincent Kompany. The header fell to Giggs, who clipped the ball through for Nani to meet and finish his surge into the box with a clinical low shot past Hart.

Mancini had stated before the match that he was aiming to win, and he made positive switches after the break, firstly introducing Shaun Wright-Phillips for Kolarov before Dzeko made his arrival on the hour-mark.

As Kompany continued to frustrate Rooney at one end, including one exceptional sliding block after Fletcher had played an inviting ball into the box for the England man to hit on the turn, Dzeko had a hand in the equaliser at the other.

Technically it could go down as an assist for Silva's goal, although it was nothing of the sort. The Bosnia striker miscued his shot from Wright-Phillips's low cross after a good move down the left initiated by Tevez, and the effort rebounded off Silva and into the net before anyone, including Van der Sar, knew what had happened.

The goal made the final quart of the game an open, end-to-end encounter, although clear chances were at a premium. That was until the 78th minute, when Nani's speculative cross from the right was met by Rooney leaping into the air and firing his crisply struck bicycle kick right into the top corner. Any strike that beats this one to be goal of the season will be very special indeed.

From then on, City never looked like pulling themselves back on terms for a second time, and United did what they have done countless times before at Old Trafford by frustrating their increasingly frantic opponents and securing a victory which takes them one step closer to the title.

Manchester United suffered their first Premier League defeat of the season in a shock 2-1 loss at bottom club Wolverhampton Wanderers.

In a top versus bottom clash that all but the most optimistic Wolves fan assumed would be a United walkover, two goals from George Elokobi - although Kevin Doyle will try to claim the second - overcame Nani’s opener as the champions struggled to create opportunities against their stubborn hosts.

Defender Elokobi had never scored in the Premier League before but it was United who were bereft of ideas as they lost their first league game at the 25th time of asking.

Despite the result Sir Alex Ferguson’s side are four points clear of second-placed Arsenal after the Gunners threw away a four-goal lead at Newcastle, while Wolves stay at the bottom following Wigan’s win, behind West Ham only on goals scored.

United had a fabulous start when, on three minutes, Nani scored a trademark goal, cutting inside from the right and - with everyone expecting the cross - firing a wicked drive inside Wayne Hennessey’s exposed near post.

Wayne Rooney should have made it 2-0 soon afterwards but fired straight at Hennessey after excellent hold-up play from Dimitar Berbatov. After that, though, United’s performance was nothing short of abject as they barely created a meaningful opportunity.

Wolves levelled on 10 minutes as United fell asleep at a quick corner routine, Elokobi flicking an excellent header into the bottom right with the visiting defence all over the place.

Down the other end Christophe Berra was granted a reprieve by 25-year-old referee Michael Oliver when he appeared to block Nemanja Vidic as he arrived to meet a corner.

That was on the quarter hour and, for the rest of the half, it was all Wolves, with Jamie O’Hara testing Edwin van der Sar at the near post and a superb Nenad Milijas free-kick deflected just wide with the soon-to-retire Dutch keeper stranded.

The cultured left boot of Serbia midfielder Milijas had a huge say in Wolves’ second goal five minutes before the break, which came about from his wonderful inswinging free-kick from the right, flat and almost impossible to defend as both Elokobi and Doyle claimed the goal.

Doyle stooped into a header but it appeared to strike the shoulder of the Cameroonian full-back: it was impossible to tell but Elokobi mock harassed the Irishman into letting him have the goal.

Nani headed one over just before the break, although with his lack of aerial ability it was generous to afford it half-chance status, and United were sent out early for the second half as Ferguson opted for the low-level humiliation that worked at Blackpool.

There was no such joy this time though as United, for all their possession, never really tested Hennessey in the second 45 minutes.

Just before the hour mark half-time substitute Paul Scholes slid a Rafael cross well wide, while Berra blocked Rooney’s effort after his keeper failed to claim a routine cross.

Late on Patrice Evra had a penalty shout correctly rejected when he fired a cross against the arm of Ronald Zubar from point-blank range as United huffed and puffed through the latter stages, which included a generous five minutes of injury time awarded by Oliver.

To say Wolves held out would be flattering - they merely had to remain solid - as United’s poor away record threw the title race back open.