The mistakes gave them a great advantage, but we did create chances against a fantastic team

Sir Alex Ferguson

Van Nistelrooy's goals could not save United

Deportivo continued to look dangerous, although the Spanish side would not have expected to be handed an equaliser by their opponents.

Brown looked to have cleared any danger when dispossessing Sergio as he bore down on goal but the United defender and Barthez both let the ball run loose and Sergio stole in for the simplest of tap-ins.

A minute later Deportivo were ahead when Tristan rose unmarked in the area to head home a Pedro Duscher cross.

The Old Trafford crowd fell silent but within two minutes United were level.

Van Nistelrooy was played in by a ball that flicked off Beckham's heel and the Dutchman finished with an exquisite chip over Molina from the tightest of angles.

Barthez looked to have regained his composure with a stunning diving save to keep out Valeron's drive three minutes after the interval.

But any hopes Ferguson had of regaining the lead disappeared on the hour when the Frenchman came sliding out of his area only to miss the ball allowing Tristan a clear shot at goal.

The introduction of Andy Cole and Ole Gunnar Solksjaer failed to force a draw and United know they need to improve for the visit of Olympiakos next week.

Man Utd: Barthez, Gary Neville, Johnsen, Blanc, Irwin, Beckham, Veron, Keane, Giggs, Scholes, Van Nistelrooy. Subs: Carroll, Butt, Cole, Chadwick, Solskjaer, Brown, Silvestre.

D Coruna: Molina, Hector, Naybet, Romero, Donato, Victor, Duscher, Sergio, Amavisca, Valeron, Tristan. Subs Nuno, Cesar, Djalminha, Scaloni, Emerson, Capdevila, Pandiani.

Referee: Herbert Fandel (Germany)