The Independent:
On a day when football matters were put into perspective by the news that a plot to kidnap Victoria Beckham was foiled by police yesterday morning, David Beckham's Manchester United were again hugely disappointing. The free-flowing style of the last few seasons has gone, and they required a very special goal from Diego Forlan to secure an undeserved victory five minutes from time.
This 250th Premiership win keeps Sir Alex Ferguson's men in the title hunt, not to mention the Scot in good spirits ahead of Wednesday's celebration of his 16 years in charge. There will not be much time for partying, however, as United were sluggish and often outpassed by an excellent Southampton team.
The Old Trafford crowd are not known for voicing their disapproval at this United generation, but it was significant to note that the fans were singing Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's name long before he was introduced midway through the half. In the event, though, the Norwegian supersub was not the replacement who had the greatest impact.
That honour fell to the man who only opened his League account last weekend, Forlan. The Uruguayan, who needed 23 Premiership games before finding the net against Aston Villa, had only been on the pitch for six minutes when he collected a neat Veron pass 25 yards out from the Southampton goal before rifling an unstoppable right-foot shot into the top corner of Niemi's net.
United had their win, but the style is still nowhere to be seen.
The Times:
Southampton were laid waste by the new goal-scoring hurricane that is Diego Forlan.
They could feel the wind when the Uruguayan adjusted his Alice band and stepped on to the field 11 minutes from time. Couldn’t they? Forlan’s hapless first nine months in English football were plainly just a Columbo act, the gathering of the storm. Having gone nine months and 35 appearances without a goal in open play, Forlan unleashed himself late on against Aston Villa last week and sank Southampton with an even later, even more valuable strike.
There were just five minutes left when Juan Veron found the striker on the edge of the box after Ryan Giggs took a quick free kick and Forlan turned to ram a dipping shot into Antti Niemi’s top corner.
Southampton were mercilessly committed to closing down their opponents. Van Nistelrooy was particularly affected. He made one chance for himself with a dribble, but shot into the side-netting. Beckham was also unable to score when he shot from 18 yards.
Van Nistelrooy, Beckham, who needs them? United have got the all-new Diego Forlan.
The Telegraph:
Maybe those Diego Forlorn jibes will stop now. For the second Saturday running yesterday, Forlan saved the day for Manchester United by proving again that he does know where the net is. Having equalised against Aston Villa with a header seven days earlier, United's erratic Uruguayan striker drove home a spectacular winner five minutes before the end of what seemed destined to be a draw.
Southampton would have fully deserved a share of the points that would have prevented United from keeping in touch with Premiership leaders Liverpool. Defending stoutly and counter-attacking dangerously they created as many scoring chances as United, if not more. In the end, though, they could not improve on the superb equaliser scored by the outstanding Fabrice Fernandes after Phil Neville had given United the lead with only his fifth goal in 200 League appearances.
The Observer:
Now all he needs to learn is how to put his shirt back on. He ripped it off in celebration and played without it for a minute as he struggled to get it back over his head.
Forlan's goal against Villa earned a point, while this one was even more valuable, sealing a victory that was immensely cruel on Southampton, who coped with United with an ease that will disturb Ferguson and certainly silence their fans.
Most worryingly for Ferguson will be another ineffectual contribution from David Beckham, who was a peripheral figure on the wing while being watched by Sven-Göran Eriksson.
Ferguson had been generous in his praise for Southampton in the build-up, recalling how their attacking instincts on previous visits to Old Trafford had contributed to a series of entertaining matches. And a fat lot of good it did them, as Ferguson was undoubtedly only too aware.
At least United avoided a third successive draw in the Premiership - and it could have been far worse. But, not for the first time this season, there was little here to suggest that United remain a team with the vigour and imagination needed to overhaul the likes of Liverpool and Arsenal at the top.