Manchester United romped to their sixth Premiership title in eight years with a first-half blitz at Southampton.

A David Beckham free-kick, a Francis Benali own goal and a clinical strike from Ole Gunnar Solksjaer wrapped up the game and the league title by half-time at The Dell.

The champions cruised through the second half, allowing Marian Pahars to grab a late consolation for the Saints, but it didn't quell the celebrations which accompanied the final whistle.

The midweek defeat by Real Madrid was temporarily forgotten and the Old Trafford club rejoiced at their 13th championship win.

Sir Alex Ferguson's men were awesome for the first 45 minutes and were applauded from the pitch at the end of the game by an appreciative Southampton crowd.

If United have been scarred by their Champions' League failure against Real Madrid, they didn't show it as they eased impressively back into top gear.

The championship race has been something of a procession for weeks and, after Liverpool's goalless draw in Good Friday's Mersey derby, the Red Devils were finally in a position to put a sixth title in eight seasons beyond doubt.

They remain the best in Europe, according to Glenn Hoddle, but last year's Treble winners will have to settle for one major trophy this term.

United's Premiership form has been impressive. They came to Southampton boasting 24 goals from six straight wins. By half-time they had added three more goals to their record-breaking tally for the season and the championship was pretty much in the bag.

The Dell hasn't been the happiest of hunting grounds in recent years for Sir Alex and his all-conquering heroes.

United had only one win from their last four visits, including a famous 6-3 defeat still fresh in the memory, but Beckham eased any jitters with his brilliant early strike.

The England midfielder, in the thick of the action all afternoon, claimed the crucial first goal in typical style.

He swerved a right-footed free-kick over the Saints wall and down into the corner of the net in the eighth minute after Benali had fouled Andy Cole just outside the penalty box.

It sparked celebrations for the lucky United fans who managed to get their hands on a ticket inside the 15,000-capacity stadium, and more quickly followed.

Ryan Giggs split Southampton's defence with a cushioned pass to Philip Neville on the left. The full-back was allowed to race unchallenged into the area and drive a low cross into the danger-zone. Benali lunged towards the ball but, like Roy Keane in midweek, could only watch in anguish as he diverted it into his own net.

Moss produced an amazing save to deny Solksjaer, flying to his left to tip a fierce drive onto the post.

But the Norwegian wouldn't be denied, reminding his manager of his worth in the week Ruud van Nistelrooy revealed he was destined for Old Trafford in an £18million deal.

Beckham pin-pointed a pass to the back-post where Solksjaer had drifted away from his markers. He controlled the ball instantly and drove past Moss into the opposite corner.

Half-time took the momentum away from United. They came up against a better organised Southampton defence but also took their foot off the pedal as the half went on.

Cole and Solksjaer both blazed over when well placed and Moss denied the Norwegian with another superb reflex save after Keane had robbed Chris Marsden in midfield.

Southampton enjoyed more possession after the break. Raimond van der Gouw saved bravely from Jo Tessem and substitute Hassan Kachloul went close from long range but the result was never in doubt.

Pahars grabbed a late goal in the closing minutes. He danced into the penalty area and crashed a confident finish past van der Gouw before the final whistle confirmed United joy.

Teams:

Southampton: Moss, Dodd, Richards, Lundekvam, Benali (Kachloul 46), Tessem, Tahar (Oakley 82), Marsden, Bridge, Davies (Le Tissier 71), Pahars.

Subs Not Used: Soltvedt, Bevan.

Booked: Pahars, Davies.

Goals: Pahars 83.

Man Utd: Van Der Gouw, G. Neville, Stam, Silvestre, P. Neville, Beckham, Butt, Keane, Giggs (Johnsen 58), Solskjaer (Sheringham 71), Cole (Yorke 71).

Subs Not Used: Culkin, Scholes.

Booked: Keane.

Goals: Beckham 7, Benali 15 og, Solskjaer 29.

Att: 15,245

Ref: N Barry (Scunthorpe).