A weakened United side had met determined opposition from Ipswich before the spot-kick was given by referee Rob Styles despite little evidence of contact on the Dutchman.

A bright run by Miller enabled him to reach the byline and Bent came agonisingly close to converting his cross as he headed the ball an inch wide of the near post.

Reuser’s speculative long-range effort was also held by Carroll, but United could not be under-estimated as they increasingly came into the game, especially on the break.

Van Nistelrooy’s next effort was not much better than his first two, sending a right-footed curler several yards wide.

However, he then effortlessly chested the ball into the path of Forlan, whose fierce first-time effort was deflected just over, while a shot by Keane was grasped low down by Marshall.

Ipswich were under serious pressure as Forlan struck the side-netting from Chadwick’s low cross and then, in first-half stoppage-time, United were awarded what seemed a fortuitous penalty.

Bramble and John McGreal made limited contact with van Nistelrooy as they contested a cross from Keane but the Dutchman went to ground before picking himself up to convert the ensuing spot-kick.