Scholes scores with an unstoppable drive

The result leaves Deportivo top of Group G with four points. United lie second, a point behind.

Roy Keane had said United might have to adopt a "more boring" approach to wear down opponents and ensure Champions League progress this season.

If hardly boring, their display in the first 40 minutes was patient, with few attacking moments to savour.

Only two saves by goalkeeper Fabien Barthez stood out as the visitors withstood sustained pressure.

The United defence was not exactly on the rack, but Laurent Blanc looked vulnerable more than once early on.

Fran, Sergio and Diego Tristan all provided worrying moments down the United right.

But Scholes' 16th Champions League goal five minutes before half-time transformed the tie and raised hopes of only a second United victory in their last 10 away games in Europe.

Giggs's miss was to prove costly for United

Ryan Giggs burst down the left, Ruud van Nistelrooy played a delightful one-two with Scholes on the edge of the area and the Salford boy's strike into the top-right corner was unstoppable.

Deportivo brought on Valeron for Romero at the start of the second half and the Spaniards were soon back on the attack.

Barthez produced a superb save from Tristan's long-range strike after 57 minutes.

Lionel Scaloni and Pandiani then came on for Sergio and Makaay on the hour and United were definitely weathering a Spanish storm.

Giggs had a chance when he found space to run at the Spanish defence, but his shot lacked conviction and it was only a brief respite.

Deportivo swarmed forward and Pandiani should have done better with a free header in the 69th minute. Only Barthez realised the Spaniard had strayed off-side.

Blanc was more assured after half-time

Keane then drilled a shot straight at Jose Molina but almost all the action was in the United half.

Blanc and Johnsen had never played as a partnership before, but they were getting to know each other fast.

Giggs might have sealed the tie with 14 minutes left after Veron put the Welshman through, but Molina got down to save and the ball was soon back down the other end.

It was to prove a very costly miss for United as Pandiani struck with four minutes left, played onside by Gary Neville.

The Uruguyan had time to chest down Valeron's chip before firing the equaliser past Barthez.

As Deportivo sensed an unexpected victory, there was time for the Frenchman to make two more outstanding saves before the killer blow two minutes later.

The United defence was guilty of failing to pick up Naybet's run and the Moroccan calmly drove the ball past Barthez's despairing dive.

D Coruna: Molina, Romero, Naybet, Donato, Manuel Pablo, Mauro Silva, Emerson, Fran, Sergio, Makaay, Tristan. Subs: Nuno, Amavisca, Scaloni, Capdevila, Pandiani, Djorovic, Valeron.

Man Utd: Barthez, Irwin, Johnsen, Blanc, Gary Neville, Giggs, Veron, Keane, Beckham, Scholes, van Nistelrooy. Subs: Carroll, Butt, Cole, Phil Neville, May, Solskjaer, Silvestre.

Referee: Stefano Braschi (Prato).