Crossing with conviction

Set-pieces have also proved more fruitful for United this term - another area where Beckham excelled - and it's extremely encouraging to see the side posing a real threat from corners and free-kicks.

Goals can be scored from more hopeful crosses - I thought, perhaps a little unfairly, that Hugo Viana's centre for Alan's header was a speculative one and yet it still yielded the opener. But there is something about whipping the ball in at pace that excites the crowd and, given the firepower at Sir Alex's disposal, it is also likely to continue to reap dividends.