An exquisite chip from David Beckham sealed victory for the home side but Blues will look back on two golden chances to equalise at Old Trafford that could have seen them come away with a point.

Although Manchester United bossed the possession and created a string of goalscoring chances, few would have denied Steve Bruce's depleted side a share of the spoils purely for their honest endeavour at the 'Theatre of Dreams'.

Blues worked hard to close down their opponents who were back to something like their best.

United keeper Fabian Barthez produced two wonderful saves that could have seen Blues grab a dream equaliser that their 3,000 noisy fans deserved.

Steve Bruce received a warm ovation from the home fans who recall his heroics in the United defence during his eight years as a player at Old Trafford.

The first chance of the match fell to the feet of United striker Ole Gunnar Solsjkaer from a short corner by David Beckham but the Norwegian striker fluffed his shot.

Diego Forlan released Roy Keane through the middle on eight minutes but fortunately the ball hit the back of the Irish midfielder and Nico Vaesen had time to produce a centre-half-like tackle to clear the danger.

At the other end Stan Lazaridis sent in a superb cross from the left that found Clinton Morrison but the striker's effort was blocked.

Beckham floated a good free kick into the box and Rio Ferdinand rose well but sent his header into the side netting.

Morrison won a free kick on the edge of the box for Blues on 21 minutes.

Kiroski hit the wall with his shot and Robbie Savage followed but also saw his effort blocked.

Forlan was inches away from connecting to a cross as United's tide of pressure continued in earnest.

Vaesen produced a good stop from Mikael Silvestre's shot and then Roy Keane scooped the ball wide from inside the area.

Blues were weathering the storm well and Aliou Cisse produced a wonderful last ditch tackle to prevent a certain goal for Paul Scholes.

The shots continued to fly in from all angles and Juan Veron volleyed over from Beckham's corner.

Savage's clearance found Morrison who did very well to hold the ball up and tee up Lazaridis who fired just over the bar.

Vaesen did well again to punch the ball away from the head of Scholes as he threatened to connect to Beckham's header across goal.

The opening goal arrived on 37 minutes when Beckham's far post run eventually paid dividends and he headed the ball back into the path of Forlan who smashed the ball past Vaesen.

Solsjkaer snuck in at the far post and sent an effort just wide of the goal soon after the goal.

United were now in full flow and playing some delightful football that often had Blues chasing their tails.

Veron played a lovely one-two before firing straight at Vaesen for the final effort of a non-stop first half.

Geoff Horsfield replaced a limping Stan Lazaridis early in the second half.

Scholes tested Vaesen with a low shot but the Blues keeper was equal to it and turned the ball around the post.

Horsfield made an immediate impression on the game and won a free kick wide on the right.

Devlin curled the ball into the box and Kirovski's header looked to be aiming towards the bottom corner but Fabian Barthez produced an amazing save diving down to his right.

Blues were so close to levelling the scores and their vociferous fans responded by raising the volume levels at an otherwise quiet Old Trafford.

Darryl Powell replaced Kenny Cunningham, presumably due to an injury, with Horsfield moving to an unorthadox centre half role.

A United left wing corner found its way all the way through to Scholes whose shot was deflected wide by Keane's heel.

Curtis Woodhouse came on for Mat Sadler with the defender suffering from cramp after a tiring 70 minutes for the youngser at Old Trafford.

Horsfield then switched to his third position of the afternoon at right back with Kenna moving to centre back.

United continued to press but Blues dug deep and cleared the danger on numerous occasions by any means possible.

Blues came within inches of an equaliser when Cisse's free header was tipped around the post by Barthez.

United doubled their lead on 73 minutes when Beckham produced an exquisite 25-yard chip.

It was a cruel blow for the hard-working Blues side but you could not help but admire the England captain's finish.

Ferdinand should have increased his side's lead with a point blank header but amazingly missed the target.

Bruce can feel rightly proud of his team on his first competitive return to Old Trafford.