PICTURES

WEBMASTER'S COMMENT

"This is something Manchester United fans would be getting used to. Utd coming from behind to gain a point or win the game. And what a way to win this one. Fantastic strike from Beckham after his World Cup nightmare."

MATCH REPORT

By David Anderson, PA Sport

David Beckham scored a free-kick special three minutes into stoppage time to rescue Manchester United at Old Trafford. The former champions were heading for defeat against Leicester when they trailed 2-0 with only 12 minutes remaining. But substitute Teddy Sheringham pulled one back with a glancing header from Beckham's shot before the controversial England star scored a glorious equaliser with a sweetly-struck 25-yard free-kick which gave Pegguy Arphexad no chance.

It was a tremendous finale for the England midfielder, who has just signed a new five-year contract at Old Trafford. He was booed and cheered simultaneously every time he touched the ball, but he ensured he had the final word with that terrific strike.

United's defending was shocking at times and after six minutes the visitors, who won here 1-0 in January, took the lead through Emile Heskey. Muzzy Izzet was allowed to run along the deadball line before pulling the ball back for Heskey to poke it home from close range off the underside of the bar.

Leicester almost had a second when former Red Robbie Savage's curled cross came off Jaap Stam and went over the bar after Tony Cottee had missed it.

United's defence was in disarray and the Foxes carved out another chance, this time down the left on 16 minutes, but Cottee carelessly shot over from Steve Guppy's cross. Then Izzet pounced on a misplaced pass, charged into the box and crossed towards Heskey only for Denis Irwin to head clear.

United finally managed to fashion an opening after 27 minutes when Andy Cole nodded the ball down on the edge of the area for Paul Scholes to miskick. Beckham brought a diving save from Kasey Keller with a long-range drive.

Irwin then flashed a drive wide from just outside the box before a Giggs cross was just centimetres too high for Cole's head. Keller finally had something to do and he saved one point-blank effort from Roy Keane before he held another shot straight at him from Ronny Johnsen.

Stam, who had been given the run around by Cottee in the first half, was replaced by Henning Berg. Cottee should have doubled Leicester's lead when he shot straight at Schmeichel from close range and the reaction of his manager Martin O'Neill made it clear that he should have done better.

Leicester were forced to reorganise at the back on the hour when Keller was injured challenging Cole and had to be replaced by Arphexad. On 75 minutes Leicester doubled their advantage when Cottee, who scored the only goal here in January, popped up unmarked in the middle of the United defence to head home Savage's right-wing cross.

United tried to fight back and Arphexad pushed Cole's shot into the side netting after the striker had rounded the goalkeeper. In the 78th minute United clawed themselves back into the match when Sheringham, who had only replaced Gary Neville a minute earlier, got his head to Beckham's shot.

In a frantic finale, Leicester could have had a third only for Schmeichel to deny Heskey with a point-blank save. But in the end United were not to be denied as Beckham produced another piece of magic for his scrapbook.

POST MATCH REACTIONS

Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson was delighted to have snatched a point after Manchester United's late rally at Old Trafford.

"I think it was a good result for us although whether we deserved a draw or not is debatable," he said. "I'm pleased to get a result after we were 2-0 down with 15 minutes to go. You've got to give credit to Leicester because in the first 20 minutes they put us through the mill with their aggressive start and it was not the kind of start you want to a new season to be 1-0 down after four minutes.

"It took us 30 minutes to get going but they defended absolutely fantastically. They did not need a goalkeeper - I have never seen defenders get in the road of shots like they did."

Ferguson praised referee Neil Barry for making the Leicester wall retreat the full 10 yards for Beckham's free-kick and he claimed that had made all the difference.

"He got the requisite 10 yards which makes the difference," he said. "If you give him 10 yards he'll always get it over the top."

The Foxes were on course to continue their remarkable record against United when they led 2-0 with just 12 minutes remaining, but substitute Teddy Sheringham pulled a goal back before David Beckham equalised with a free-kick deep into stoppage time.

"I'm actually very disappointed," said O'Neill. "To be 2-0 up at Old Trafford on the opening day of the season and despite Manchester United having the majority of the possession in the second half, overall I thought we had the better chances in the game. But we were never comfortable, even at 2-0 and we just got a wee bit tired and sloppy. In the dressing room it's very sombre - we were close to winning but it hasn't happened although at least we are off the mark."

O'Neill felt his substitute goalkeeper Pegguy Arphexad could have done better with the set piece.

"To be honest I felt Pegguy could have stopped that or anticipated that it was going into that side."

Arphexad had replaced Kasey Keller after the American had come off with a knee injury while Matt Elliott suffered a suspected broken nose. United did not escape unscathed and record-signing Japp Stam came off at half time with a pulled thigh muscle, which will keep him out for two weeks. Leicester, though, did have something to celebrate as Northern Ireland midfielder Neil Lennon agreed a new two-year contract.

"I signed today and I'm absolutely delighted," he said. "The gaffer has really pushed the boat out for me and it's great to be wanted."

Emile Heskey had given Leicester the lead after six minutes and Tony Cottee doubled their advantage in the 75th minute before United's late show.

TEAMS

Manchester United: Schmeichel, G Neville, Stam, Johnsen, Irwin, Beckham, Scholes, Butt, Giggs, Scholes, Cole.
Subs: Berg for Stam, Sheringham for G Neville.
Scorers: Sheringham (79), Beckham (90)

Leicester City: Keller, Savage, Guppy, Sinclair, Elliot, Walsh, Izzet, Lennon, Zagorakis, Cottee, Heskey.
Subs: Arphexad for Keller, Wilson for Cottee, Taggart for Elliot.
Scorers: Heskey (7), Cottee (76)

Referee: N Barry