Two late goals in four minutes, from an Andy Cole overhead kick and a persevering effort by Paul Scholes, gave Manchester United a victory which had threatened to elude them for so long at Old Trafford last night.

A goal from Ibrahima Bakayoko, formerly of Everton, had posed an unexpected threat to United's chances of retaining the European Cup. The Ivory Coast striker exploited a mistake by Henning Berg to give Marseille the lead towards the end of the first half after the holders had missed several chances.

United and Marseille were comfortably placed to go through from Group D and last night a draw was not going to do either side much harm. That said, United had never previously defeated French opposition at Old Trafford and now seemed as good a time as any to buck the trend.

Not that they were particularly well-equipped to do so. Roy Keane, Ryan Giggs and Gary Neville were missing along with several long-term casualties including Ronny Johnsen. Sure, United wanted to win, but it was imperative they did not lose.

A similar thought had occurred to Marseille whose coach Rolland Courbis rested Robert Pires, their most inspirational player, and played five defenders. The French team, then, approached the match much as Alex Ferguson expected, although United's manager had not envisaged both Bakayoko and Fabrizio Ravanelli playing up front.

For United it was a familiar European situation. Marseille were prepared to allow them space in midfield, but equally ready to crowd the corridors nearer goal. United could advance so far at their ease but needed more accuracy and imagination than usual to create a clear scoring chance.

Stephane Porato had to make two sharp saves in the opening 12 minutes, keeping out a cross-shot from Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who had been set up by Dwight Yorke's pass, and blocking a tumbling low drive from Nicky Butt following David Beckham's corner. United's ability to improvise opportunities from awkward angles and heights was as important as their more calculated movements.

With Stephane Dalmat holding the ball well under pressure and Bakayoko thudding a 25-yard shot into the midriff of Raimond van der Gouw it was clear that Marseille had not come merely to defend. Nevertheless this was what they were forced to do for long periods.

The holders' first clear chance arrived in the 22nd minute - and Cole missed it. A brisk exchange of passes with Yorke caught Marseille square at the back and Cole was through on goal, but only to shoot wide.

At this level such opportunities should not be scorned too often although the way United were playing it was hard to believe they would not score sooner or later. Beckham was showing signs of outwitting Patrick Blondeau and when Beckham prospers so, more often than not, do United.

Still the chances came and went. On the half-hour, Cole laid off a high ball from Beckham to Yorke, who was through on goal and seemed certain to score. But Yorke hesitated a fraction before shooting and this allowed Porato the split-second he needed to smother the danger.

So completely were United dominating the game territorially that the longer they went without scoring the more likely it seemed they would be punished. That is so often the way in football and last night this is precisely what happened three minutes before half-time.

Marseille took the lead in a manner which was utterly simple but at the same time breathtakingly spectacular. There seemed to be little danger as Berg moved onto the ball midway inside his own half, but then he slipped and was caught in possession by Bakayoko, who scampered on to beat Van der Gouw with a shot off the underside of the bar.

But you can never write off United and their late two-goal reply - they seem to be making a habit of that - was enough to end the entente cordiale.

Man Utd: Van Der Gouw, Irwin, Stam, Berg (Sheringham 77), Neville, Beckham, Butt, Scholes, Solskjaer (Fortune 72), Cole (Clegg 86), Yorke. Subs Not Used: Bosnich, Cruyff, Wilson, Greening. Booked: Neville. Goals: Cole 79, Scholes 83.

Marseille: Porato, Blondeau, Gallas, Fischer, Perez, Issa (Belmadi 82), Luccin (De La Pena 77), Dalmat, Ravanelli (Pires 61), Bakayoko, Brando. Subs Not Used: Trevisan, Keita, Diawara, Reina. Goals: Bakayoko 41.

Referee: J Garcia-Aranda (Spain).