Manchester United's attack shone intermittently here last night but the most dazzling reflections came from the glass jaw of Alex Ferguson's defence. Another defeat by Deportivo La Coruna may not have ended United's chances of making the second round in the Champions League but they surely cannot afford many evenings like this.
Ruud van Nistelrooy's first two goals in Europe for United were offset by slipshod defending and farcical goalkeeping errors by Fabien Barthez as Deportivo came from behind to flood their opponents' half with accurate, inventive football.
While points remained United's priority Old Trafford last night geared itself up for a performance of sufficient quality from Ferguson's players to make out at least a prima facie case for their enjoying a more successful tournament than in the two previous seasons.
A 2-1 defeat in La Coruna three weeks earlier had appeared to confirm the team's new reputation as poor European travellers but then United defeated Olympiakos 2-0 in Piraeus with some outstanding football.
Formation-wise, Deportivo offered United a mirror image, with a sole striker, Diego Tristan, supported by a man playing off him, Juan Carlos Valeron. This is the way Ferguson believes is best for United in Europe, with Paul Scholes the main foil for Van Nistelrooy, although the regularity with which Ryan Giggs moves into the middle from the left means the Dutchman tends to have twofold support.
Giggs it was who set up Van Nistelrooy's first goal for Manchester United in the Champions League after six minutes. A jink, a dummy and a blur of feet took the Welshman past two defenders and a short through-pass left van Nistelrooy to beat Francisco Molina from less than 10 yards.
The Spanish league leaders responded by interpassing their way through the outer cover of United's defences with an ominous ease.
Just before the quarter-hour Pedro Duscher sent Diego Tristan to the left-hand byline and from the latter's low centre Sergio Gonzalez all but scored at the near post, a defender's deflection denying Deportivo an equaliser. There was a confidence and composure about their movement not often seen in teams visiting Old Trafford.
For a period in the first half Deportivo dominated in terms of possession, forcing corners and seeing a dipping 25-yard shot from Duscher tipped over the crossbar by Barthez.
Van Nistelrooy found the net again, and outstandingly so, in the 41st minute - but it was to bring the scores level at 2-2.
In between times Old Trafford was reminded that defending is not United's strongest feature just now. Certainly Deportivo's football deserved a goal, but United hardly needed to gift them two in the 36th and 38th minutes.
The first resulted from a misunderstanding between Barthez and Wes Brown, who had replaced the limping Ronny Johnsen immediately after the first goal. Brown all but dispossessed Sergio and all Barthez needed to do was hoof the ball clear, but the goalkeeper hesitated, Brown was lost, and Sergio slipped between to find an empty net.
United were still pondering what had happened when Hector, overlapping on the right, crossed to a far post left unguarded by Gary Neville. Tristan's header beat Barthez in a high arc and Deportivo were in front.
Not for long, though. This time the Dutchman accepted David Beckham's pass and brushed off two challenges as he made a beeline for the near post, there to score with an exquisite chip over the keeper.
Deportivo did not seem too concerned. Why should they, the way the opposition continued to give them goals with pink ribbons attached.
Just past the hour, as Tristan pursued a ball towards the right-hand corner of the penalty area, the advancing Barthez looked to have the race well won. But as the goalkeeper slid beyond the area he missed the ball altogether, and Tristan shot into an empty net.
Andy Cole replaced Paul Scholes as Ferguson sought more scoring power, and he should have headed United level in the 87th minute. Giggs's centre set him up perfectly at the far post, but Cole nodded the ball wide.
MANCHESTER UNITED: Barthez, Gary Neville, Johnsen (Brown 8), Blanc, Irwin (Solskjaer 85), Beckham, Veron, Keane, Giggs, Scholes (Cole 63), van Nistelrooy. Subs Not Used: Carroll, Butt, Chadwick, Silvestre. Booked: Veron. Goals: van Nistelrooy 7, 40.
DEP LA CORUNA: Molina (Nuno 45), Hector, Naybet, Romero (Capdevila 79), Donato, Victor, Duscher, Sergio, mavisca, Valeron, Tristan (Pandiani 82). Subs Not Used: Cesar, Djalminha, Scaloni, Emerson. Booked: Victor, Donato, Romero. Goals: Sergio 37, Tristan 38, 60.
Referee: Herbert Fandel (Kyllburg)
