The opening performance of the New Year in Manchester United's Theatre of Dreams started as a farce, but it ended up as a thriller with a sting in the tail.

A David Beckham equaliser nine minutes from the end and a stoppage time winner from Paul Scholes secured the three points in dramatic fashion at the expense of relegation-threatened Sunderland.

Inspired by the heroics of their Austrian goalkeeper Jurgen Macho, Howard Wilkinson's side came agonisingly close to a precious victory after taking a shock fifth minute lead.

But after getting within ten minutes of victory, they ended up with nothing as United's relentless pressure paid off in the closing stages.

The win keeps United five points behind Arsenal, who overcame Chelsea 3-2 at Highbury, and man-of-the-match Beckham admitted it had been a potentially crucial three points.

"We knew we could not afford to draw, let alone lose," Beckham said.

"At times it felt like it was going to be one of those days but we kept battling and we showed a lot of character."

United boss Alex Ferguson paid tribute to the way his side kept pushing for the victory. "It was perseverance and determination that's won it for us," the Scot said.

"We've never given up and the late goal showed the resolve of the team. I think we deserved it and we played really well."

United ended the match in impressive style but it was their chaotic defending that allowed Sunderland to take the lead after four minutes.

The feeling that it was not going to be United's day mounted ten minutes from the end when a poor first touch cost Ole Gunnar Solskjaer the chance to convert Silvestre's defence-splitting pass.

A relieved Macho was able to gather the ball and dispatch it deep into United territory, only to watch in horror as Rio Ferdinand volleyed it straight back at him.

With the Sunderland back four caught cold, Beckham was able to run clear, control the ball with his chest and clip it past Macho for his second goal in two games.

Another Macho save prevented Diego Forlan from snatching the winner two minutes before United finally grabbed a deserved winner.

Veron's cross from the right looked to be headed towards safety but Silvestre somehow managed to hook it back across the goalmouth for Scholes to steam in and head past Macho.

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