The old cliche involving London buses is invariably trotted out every time that a striker ends a goal drought by scoring in successive matches.

It was certainly used by a number of outlets in the case of Diego Forlan, who joined Manchester United in January 2002 from Independiente for a reported £6.9m. While the Uruguayan's touch and movement off the ball were impressive, try as he might, he could not score a Premier League goal.

Indeed, 23 games passed by before he finally broke his duck to secure a 1-1 draw against Aston Villa, much to the relief of all of those inside Old Trafford.

Next up were Southampton, who made the trip to the North-West 13 years ago today having been unable to beat the Red Devils on their own turf since Colin Clarke scored both goals in a 2-0 victory in January 1988.

It would end up being an afternoon to remember for Forlan, but not before the impressive Saints had caused the home side numerous problems.

Phil Neville, playing in midfield to cover the absence of captain Roy Keane, broke the deadlock in the 15th minute with what was his sixth United goal. Paul Scholes played in the utility man, who saw his shot get the better of visiting goalkeeper Antti Niemi via a deflection off Claus Lundekvam.

However, just three minutes later the away team were deservedly level when winger Fabrice Fernandes got the better of United goalkeeper Fabien Barthez with a shot that flew into the far corner of the Frenchman's net.

As the game wore on it was Southampton that carved out the better of the openings, but neither James Beattie nor Michael Svensson were able to keep their first-half efforts on target, while Beattie saw his half-volley after the restart denied by Barthez.

Predictably, their failure to convert those chances into goals was duly punished six minutes from the end by substitute Forlan, fresh from his exploits against Villa a week earlier.

Ryan Giggs picked out Juan Sebastian Veron and the Argentine in turn swiftly rolled the ball into Forlan's path. It seemed that his second touch may have been slightly on the heavy side, but as a number of Southampton defenders approached, he unleashed a powerful dipping shot from 20 yards out that left Niemi rooted to the spot as the ball arrowed into the top corner.

If the goal was memorable, so was the celebration. Overcome by emotion, the striker whipped off his shirt and by the time that play had restarted, he had been unable to get it back on, ending up with a comical moment which saw him dispossess Beattie of the ball topless.

It proved to be a match-winning moment from Forlan, though, which meant that he had secured United four points in their last two Premier League outings.

Speaking after the final whistle, manager Sir Alex Ferguson said: "When it comes to the last 25 minutes we always go for it , but what a strike from Diego."

Man United: Barthez; G Neville, Blanc, Ferdinand, Silvestre (Solksjaer); Beckham, Veron, P Neville (Forlan), Scholes, Giggs; Van Nistelrooy (O'Shea)

Southampton: Niemi; Bridge, Lundekvam, M Svensson, Dodd; Marsden (Delgado), A Svensson, Oakley, Fernandes; Ormerod (Delap), Beattie