Reaction | Minute-by-minute

Tim Hobbs reporting

Manchester United claimed the morning glory as they ruthlessly swept aside the challenge of the young Leeds pretenders to their throne.

Sucker-punch strikes either side of the break from Dwight Yorke and David Beckham put the champions in charge before an own goal from Matthew Jones compounded Leeds' misery.

And the worrying thing for the rest of the Premiership watching the early kick-off, they were afforded the luxury of leaving out Andy Cole, Ryan Giggs and David Beckham - for half an hour - and still had plenty in reserve.

Their cause was helped by a crippling injury list that left David O'Leary with an entire first team ruled out. The fact that United lost skipper Roy Keane on 30 minutes and were able to replace him with none other than Beckham said it all.

As match-ups go, this was like asking the Boy Scouts to go into battle with the SAS and although they were forced to camp on the edge of their box, Leeds' youngsters gave it their all.

But from the moment outstanding young keeper Paul Robinson had to turn a Quinton Fortune effort round the post after three minutes, the visitors' brief was clear - defend.

Ironically, they had the best chance to break the deadlock as the opening shots were fired, but Lee Bowyer could not turn in an Alan Smith cross or keep another effort under the crossbar after latching on to a Mickael Sylvestre header.

The sense that Leeds had missed their chance to outmanouevre the champions grew by the minute as Robinson turned away Nicky Butt's searing 17th-minute drive and Yorke blazed over from the resulting corner.

The Trinidad and Tobago man though, was just getting his sights. Four minutes before the break he was allowed to continue from an off-side position and arrived at the back post to head home a sumptuous Solskjaer centre after Phil Neville and Beckham and ripped Leeds apart down the right.

Only more heroics from Robinson, with a point-blank block from the Norwegian prevented further damage before the break.

But the Old Trafford masses did not have to wait long for the inevitable second. Five minutes after half-time Aussie Jacob Burns was penalised for a needless off-the-ball shove on Solskjaer and Beckham's 22-yard free-kick came off the head of Bowyer to wrongfoot Robinson.

United hardly needed any luck, but crucially they got it at the right moments and from then on, despite the efforts of Jonathan Woodgate and Danny Hay, Leeds were hanging on for their lives - and their pride.

Robinson showed he is more than an able understudy to Nigel Martyn by smothering a low drive from Butt and blocking a stinging drive from Phil Neville as United's midfield moved forward with ominous intent.

The subdued Mark Viduka and Smith were just another two spectators to add to the 57,523 as Leeds spent the closing stages defending their box.

Yorke dragged an effort wide of the far post, while Beckham had time to delight his adoring fans with some serious showboating - all of which increased Leeds frustrations and led to yet another booking for Smith following his challenge on Fabien Barthez.

But even with Robinson in inspired form, Leeds were bound to surrender a third goal and soon enough they did - although again they can count themselves unfortunate. >

Jones, who started well only to find himself slowly overrun, tracked Solskjaer into the box as Beckham whipped in another centre but was left cursing as the ball missed the striker, yet screwed in off the midfielder's standing foot.

Leeds will be up against Barcelona when they return to Champions League action this week, and many would suggest that that might just be easier than their annual trip to Old Trafford.

Man Utd: Barthez, G. Neville, Silvestre, Johnsen (Brown 45), P. Neville, Fortune, Butt, Scholes, Keane (Beckham 31), Yorke, Solskjaer.
Subs Not Used: Bosnich, Giggs, Cole.
Goals: Yorke 41, Beckham 50, Jones 83 og.

Leeds: Robinson, Kelly, Matteo, Hay, Woodgate, Bowyer, McPhail, Jones, Burns, Smith (Huckerby 78), Viduka.
Subs Not Used: Milosevic, Molenaar, Evans, Hackworth.
Booked: Smith, Bowyer.

Att: 67,525
Ref: J Winter (Stockton-on-Tees).

FERGIE: I KNEW WE WOULD WIN
Sir Alex Ferguson knew United were going to beat Leeds even before a ball had been kicked.

The fact that David O'Leary went into the game with an entire team out injured left the United boss in confident mood before strikes from Dwight Yorke, David Beckham and a Matthew Jones own goal settled the issue.

Ferguson said: "I think we were always in control - and we expected to be because they were a very young team.

"The problem Leeds have got to with injuries you could not expect anything else than a Manchester United victory today.

"The confidence and mood are good and we've got every chance."

Leeds boss <B>David O'Leary</B> admitted that his side deserved to be beaten, but still had a couple of gripes with referee Jeff Winter.

TV replays showed that Yorke was allowed to continue from an off-side position before heading home the first and the Irishman was not happy with the decision, branding it a joke.

O'Leary also questioned the booking of Alan Smith as the fiery Leeds striker rounded off a miserable morning by having his name taken.

O'Leary said: The better team won but I am disappointed.

"I thought it was a joke decision on half-time (Yorke's goal). I'd love to say more

"The booking for Alan Smith....I'd like to see that on television. I was disappointed with some of things that went on there.

David Beckham proved the match-winner for United, despite starting the game on the bench.

Beckham has been struggling with illness this week, but was pressed into action following an injury to Roy Keane.

He told Sky Sports: "I wanted to start the game but the manager wanted to rest me because I've had a bit of a cold the last few days.

"But unfortunately for Keano he came off with a sore hamstring and I got my chance.

"I've got quite a few goals in the first half of the season this year.

"And we were looking for the second goal. We have come out of our bad spell with three good results and have got a big game on Tuesday away to Anderlecht in the Champions League".

Leeds best performer was without doubt England Under-21 keeper Paul Robinson, who produced several top-class saves in the face of a United onslaught.

And although he was able to take some personal satisfaction from the game, the young keeper was disappointed with the overall outcome.

He told Sky Sports: I think we thought we could get a result - but they put pressure on us.

"We've been hit by a lot of injuries recently and we knew it was going to be hard.

"It's only my second game since Nigel Martyn got injured. It's unfortunate for him - but I'll just have to do my best while he's out.

Minute-by-minute update
FULL-TIME: 3-0
90mins: Full-time - United move three points clear at the top
88mins: Solskjaer shot deflected wide - Utd in absolute rampant mode
84mins: Robinson excels again, tipping over P Neville drive
83mins: GOAL! Jones bundles in an own goal under pressure Solskjaer 80mins: Beckham curls 25-yard free-kick just over
78mins: Huckerby comes on for Smith
77mins: Yorke drags left-foot drive across goal
75mins: Barthez goes walkabout but escapes after being fouled by Viduka
71mins: Stunning Robinson save denies Solskjaer at near post
70mins: Woodgate beats Scholes to Beckham cross
66mins: Smith centre flies across face of goal - no Leeds player in sight
60mins: Smith booked for late challenge on Barthez
59mins: Yorke balloons header over as Leeds come under siege
54mins: P Neville shot blocked by the young Leeds keeper
53mins: Robinson down well to smother Butt drive
53mins: Kelly cuts out Solskjaer cross
50mins: GOAL! Beckham's 22-yard free-kick deflects in off Bowyer's head
49mins: Burs penalised for off-the-ball shove on Solskjaer
47mins: Yorke charges down Jones drive
45mins: Brown on for Johnsen - every player on pitch now under 30

HALF-TIME: 1-0
43mins: Robinson turns Scholes header behind at his near post
42mins: Robinson makes piint-blank block from Solskjaer
41mins: GOAL! Yorke dives to head home Solskjaer's right-wing cross
39mins: Smith drags poor effort wide - with Viduka unmarked
36mins: Matteo does well to clear dangerous Solskjaer centre
31mins: Solskjaer treated for a bloody nose
30mins: Keane limps off to be replaced by Beckham
25mins: Game becomes scrappy as neither side keeps possession
19mins: Viduka glances Kelly cross harmlessly wide
17mins: Yorke blazes over as Leeds fail to clear corner
17mins: Superb Robinson save from Butt drive
16mins: Smith back on after treatment
14mins: Bowyer breaks down right but G Neville cuts out cross
10mins: Bowyer latches onto Sylvestre back header but puts it over
9mins: P Neville cross drifts onto top of the net
6mins: Bowyer just fails to turn in low Smith cross
5mins: Scholes wins corner after stumbling in box
3mins: Robinson turns Fortune effort round the post
1min: Leeds kick-off at Old Trafford