Ronny Johnsen scored his first Premiership goal eight minutes from time to
keep Manchester United in the title hunt.
The Norwegian's timing was perfect as he popped up to break the deadlock at
Old Trafford just as it seemed the champions would be frustrated by Wimbledon in
their attempts to collect all three points.
Paul Scholes headed home United's second in stoppage time to give the
scoreline a truer reflection of the game.
Manager Alex Ferguson admitted that he had never felt as down has he had after
their Champions' League exit against Monaco, but this result and performance
will have gone far to lift his spirits again.
The victory was no less than United deserved after they dominated proceedings
from start to finish.
But their hopes of recording their first win this month ran into Wimbledon's
nine-man defence until Johnsen's timely intervention.
The win was United's eighth in succession over the Dons in the league, but few
of those other victories were as vital as this one.
United desperately needed all three points to get their title challenge back
on track after a disastrous spell, which had seen Arsenal haul themselves back
into the championship race.
Before the match Ryan Giggs came out to receive his award for winning the
February Goal of the Month competition, but unfortunately that was the closest
he got to playing.
The Welshman suffered a reaction to his hamstring injury in training yesterday
and was sidelined again.
United began determined to put their poor March form of two defeats and three
draws behind them.
Scholes fired into the side netting after only two minutes before Dons
goalkeeper Neil Sullivan saved Andy Cole's powerful shot with his legs.
David Beckham then curled a free-kick just past Sullivan's far post before
Gary Neville went close with a left, yes left, foot shot.
Still United maintained the pressure, but still the Wimbledon defence refused
to yield and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer headed just wide.
On 32 minutes, Beckham was not far away with another free-kick, which he
curled into the side netting from 25 yards out.
The visitors were restricted to very little at the other end, but two minutes
before half-time Michael Hughes released Marcus Gayle with a long ball.
As Gayle connected with it Raimond van der Gouw collided with him and Henning
Berg hoofed the ball clear.
Within seconds of the restart, Chris Perry fouled Cole for a free-kick on the
edge of the area and up stepped Beckham once more and this time his right-foot
effort was deflected for a corner.
On 52 minutes Sullivan sliced his clearance to Solskjaer, but the goalkeeper
recovered to save the Norwegian's shot.
Four minutes later Solskjaer was presented with a great chance on 56 minutes
when Phil Neville played the ball across to him on the left in front of goal,
but he completely missed his kick.
United were becoming increasingly frustrated by their failure to break down
the Dons' defence.
Even when they did manage to penetrate Wimbledon's back line they came up
against a defiant Sullivan, who produced a wonderful save to tip Beckham's
curling effort away for a corner.
Cole then had an effort deflected into the side netting as United continued to
dominate.
Cole should have scored after 73 minutes when he was released on the right,
but again Sullivan blocked his shot. Then came the break through which looked
like it would never come.
Wimbledon failed to clear Beckham's corner from the right and Johnsen drove
the ball home past Sullivan.
The Dons almost snatched an equaliser two minutes later when Hughes' shot was
deflected just past the post for a corner.
In stoppage time substitute Ben Thornley, who had replaced Solskjaer nine
minutes from time, crossed to Beckham who nodded the ball back for Scholes to
head home the second from close range. end
Teams
Man Utd: Van Der Gouw, G. Neville, Irwin, May, Johnsen, Beckham,
Cole (McClair 90), P. Neville, Scholes, Solskjaer (Thornley 81),
Berg.
Subs Not Used: Pilkington, Casper, Curtis.
Booked: Berg, May.
Goals: Johnsen 83, Scholes 90.
Wimbledon: Sullivan, Cunningham, Kimble, Thatcher, Earle,
Roberts, Gayle (Euell 60), Perry, Hughes, Ardley, Leaburn.
Subs Not Used: Heald, Reeves, Fear, Francis.
Booked: Thatcher, Cunningham.
Att: 55,306
Ref: D J Gallagher (Banbury).
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