Scholes strike rescues United

Ferguson's initial pairing of Andy Cole and Dwight Yorke was another throwback to the heady run of two years ago, which ended with glory in Barcelona. It was only the fourth start of the season for a pair which Ferguson admitted he used 'to pick 99 times out of 100'. The pair have remained goalless whenever they have played together this season, but Scholes showed his threat early in the match with a crisp volley which shaved a post.

Cole had a similar effort but that was almost as much potency as United could muster in a stadium where the constant noise always threatened to get under their skin.

United went into the game with a lack of strength on the left of defence. Mikael Silvestre returned from injury but, having enjoyed some of his best form of the season before playing for France against Germany last week, he reverted to the Jekyll and Hyde form that has plagued his time at the club.

One minute brilliant and aware, the left back almost appears to suffer from falling asleep at odd moments. Vlaovic took full advantage of his dozy periods and cut inside to wreak havoc and it was from a free-kick conceded by Silvestre that Panathinaikos took the lead.

A half-cleared cross bounced towards Seitaridis and, with a curtain of red shirts bearing down on him, the midfielder unleashed a powerful drive which cleared the ruck and bounced past Barthez.

The France goalkeeper peered around in disbelief at conceding a goal from over 20 yards. United, however, were lucky to be in the game still at half- time. Again Vlaovic was at the point of the Panathinaikos attack when he struck a shot which Barthez rose to divert with acrobatic resolve.

A combination of Boateng's through-ball and United's attempt to play Nikos Liberopoulos offside then allowed the striker to coast towards goal in the 43rd minute. But he shied away from the shot and when he laid the ball off, Vlaovic was flagged offside.

United consolidated somewhat after the break and controlled possession if not the excellent Boateng, although the teenager should have done better than hit one shot straight at Barthez.

Resilient and persistent, United showed the courage expected of title contenders as they came back off the ropes to hit back. Scholes was the coolest man on the pitch when, with seconds remaining, he gathered himself as well as the ball and swept his shot into the net.

The celebrations on the pitch were reminiscent of victory but United have failed to win all but one away match in Europe this season. Avoiding defeat by more than two goals at home to Sturm Graz next Tuesday will be enough to see them progress but Athens provided yet another warning.

The ambition of regaining the European Cup will not be realised unless they can rediscover the ability to overcome opponents on their own patch.

The same never-say-die spirit which wrote United's name on Europe's most famous trophy two years ago will not be enough to do so again.

Home comforts may well continue against the Austrians but home truths well learned are the only thing which will extend their hope of winning the competition.