Ferguson sees the funny side

Manchester United's post-Championship lethargy continued at The Dell. A home defeat by relegation-threatened Derby last week, now a lacklustre loss to a side who had gleaned just one goal and two points from their previous seven games.

If United hadn't strolled their way to the title by Easter Saturday, Sir Alex Ferguson may have been concerned. As it was, the United manager bore the look of a contented man. Even another Wes Brown own goal brought a smile and a joke.

'Wes is nearly our top goalscorer,' said Ferguson. 'We had a bad start and maybe there's a general flatness in the side because we're not really pushing for anything. It's hard to demand a competitive edge from them all the time.'

Ferguson's end-of-season largesse extended to fielding a midfield quartet of Luke Chadwick, Michael Stewart, Ronnie Wallwork and Quinton Fortune - a move which undoubtedly contributed to Southampton's air of superiority in the opening 45 minutes.

Brown added to a worrying collection of own goals in the eighth minute. After the deflection against Valencia in the Champions League quarter-finals, and the disallowed effort in the dying minutes at Leeds, this time he dived full length to head a Marian Pahars' cross into his own net. United then stood still to appeal for offside when Pahars ran on to a Hassan Kachloul pass before stroking the ball past Andy Goram.

Southampton were troubled in a rousing finish inspired by Ryan Giggs, who reduced the deficit 19 minutes from time after playing a delicious one-two with Dwight Yorke, but hung on for a first victory under caretaker manager Stuart Gray.

'It's nice to win - finally,' said Gray. 'It's long overdue.'