Bravely as they battled, the visitors never looked likely to mount a serious comeback once Yaniv Katan had exploited the vast space which opened up in front of the United defence to lash an unstoppable 25-yard effort past Ricardo.

They had just one clear chance, which fell to Diego Forlan after Paul Scholes and Quinton Fortune had linked on the edge of the area.

The Uruguayan latched onto the bouncing ball, struck his volley almost perfectly, but turned round in disbelief as it smacked to safety off the crossbar.

Within minutes, Raimondas Zutauttas had produced a replica of Katan’s bullet effort to sap the strength from United legs and the game was up long before Yakubu Ayegbeni clinically despatched a penalty to send the ’home’ fans who had made the 40-minute flight from native Israel into delirium.

A relaxed Ferguson had warned the vast army of United fans – drawn from the United Kingdom, Cyprus itself and bizarrely Israel – that the team he picked would be in the best interests of the club.

So, instead of seeing the likes of David Beckham, Ryan Giggs and Ruud van Nistelrooy strut their stuff, the visitors had to make do with Fortune alongside Phil Neville in central midfield, 18-year-old Kieran Richardson on the left wing and a bench including four men who have never made a first-team start.

A weight of expectation is carried by anyone who puts on that famous red shirt though and, with Scholes pulling the strings and Forlan providing a willing outlet as a lone front-runner, United made an encouraging fist of it.

Richardson had an encouraging first start, showing enough confidence to attempt a long-range shot and getting back to put former Wimbledon midfielder Walid Badeer under enough pressure to ensure a 10-yard header was woefully off target.

On an uneven surface which made passing difficult, the normally reliable Ole Gunnar Solskjaer spurned a superb chance when Scholes found him in space, Dudu Awate saving with his feet.

Awate then tipped a rasping Scholes drive over the bar and at that stage it seemed only a matter of time before United went in front.

Instead, Maccabi redoubled their efforts, shoving the Old Trafford outfit back until they eventually prized open the path to goal.

John O’Shea was booked defending the visitors’ fortress and Ricardo, making his first start, blocked twice, the Spaniard saving with his feet to deny Giovani Rosso, then doing even better to stop a close-range effort from Ayegbeni with his chest after Badeer had failed to connect with Avishay Zano’s cross.

Ayegbeni missed the Old Trafford encounter between the sides through suspension but his muscular presence was clearly an asset to Maccabi, neither O’Shea nor Ferdinand looking entirely comfortable in dealing with the Nigerian.

And though it was not Ayegbeni who made the breakthrough, it was worry over the damage he might cause which allowed Katan the space to crash home the opener, just as he had in the previous meeting.

On that occasion, United simply puffed out their chests and wafted Maccabi’s presence aside, striking five times before allowing the Israelis a cursory consolation.

This time though they just weren’t strong enough. Seemingly, Forlan’s first goal in open play at his 35th attempt against Aston Villa on Saturday hasn’t changed the Uruguayan’s luck and as the visitors were still cursing their luck Zatauttas repeated Katan’s earlier effort.

Ricardo could not be faulted on either occasion such was the tracer-like ferocity with which both shots entered the net. Unfortunately the same could not be said of the penalty incident, in which he appeared to be favourite to reach Katan’s through ball but was eventually beaten by Zutauttas, the Spaniard receiving a yellow card for his troubles before being sent the wrong way by Ayegbeni.

Ferguson looked around him but where there once was Sheringham or Yorke or Cole, there now resides untapped talent.

Rookie strikers Daniel Nardiello and Mads Timm were thrown on but such a steep learning curve was never likely to be completed in one night.