VIEW FROM THE PRESSBOX

With some tickets unusually being sold on the night at Old Trafford, it was only the contemporary price that prevented the game from being a complete throwback. A retro-tie carried great charm, with both teams showing a hearty enthusiasm that comes more easily when there is a valuable win to be had and, for once, no fear of failure. Defeat in this cup is never a cause for utter desolation.

Beckham, in his first start since a rib injury, did not have to wear a silly costume or risk falling into a moat, but there were plenty of other trials. In a match that carried overtones of the contest for the Premiership itself, the teams were trying to hint at their credentials while still withholding key information about themselves. This breeziness will not be repeated at this ground on January 18 when there are points at stake.

There was a frailty about the finishing. When Ryan Giggs outpaced the defence to reach a long ball, his lob over Carlo Cudicini was not quite strong enough and Mario Melchiot got back to clear. An inade quate sense of direction restricted the visitors later as Enrique de Lucas volleyed negligently wide from an excellent cross by Jody Morris.

United depended all the more on Scholes's invention because this looked like a recuperative exercise for Beckham, even if Mario Stanic did enhance the authenticity of the England captain's participation by knocking him down and getting booked. The goalless condition of the game was not exactly a delight to Sir Alex Ferguson but he does have a keen appreciation of the value of competition.

The quickness of the covering was apparent, with United and Chelsea counting respectively on the way in which Mikael Silvestre and William Gallas could make up ground and close a gap. Marcel Desailly was on the bench here and, majestic figure as the veteran is, Claudio Ranieri must have misgivings about dropping either Gallas or John Terry.