Ipswich matched and at times surpassed Manchester United for quality at here last night after taking an early lead through their Dutch wing-back Fabian Wilnis. David Beckham brought the scores level before half-time and later saves from Richard Wright kept Ipswich in the game, yet their quick, inventive attack still caused the champions problems.

In budgeting for the 40 or so points they will probably need to survive in the Premiership this season Ipswich were never going to bank on getting much from their encounters with Manchester United. In fact meeting the champions at this early stage provided a useful benchmark for George Burley and his players.

A good performance against United and Ipswich could face lesser teams - Sunderland at home on Saturday for example - with more confidence. And they were unlikely to suffer a repetition of the 9-0 drubbing inflicted on them by United in their previous league meeting five-years-ago.

Andy Cole scored five goals that day. As if emphasise the stark contrast in the respective resources of Old Trafford and Portman Road Alex Ferguson began last night's game with Cole on the bench, continuing to rotate his strikers by recalling Dwight Yorke and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to the attack.

Not that United's attack was the immediate point of interest. Ipswich, naturally buoyant after winning promotion, took the game to their opponents from the start, that much was expected. What was not expected, however, was the speed and the ease with which they took the lead.

Nothing if not an intelligent team with good passing habits, Ipswich cleverly used David Johnson, their most prolific striker, to draw United's defenders out of position, Phil Neville among them. As Neville abandoned his station at left-back Johnson laid the ball out to the advancing Wilnis, who moved in unchallenged to drive the ball low past Fabien Barthez.

United had been caught cold, Ipswich were hot, and the consistent width given their movements by Wilnis and Jamie Clapham, allied to the accuracy of their passes and Johnson's speed, continued to disturb Ferguson's defence.

Typical of Ipswich's performance was in the 25th minute when a pass from Wright missed Johnson in the middle but still found Marcus Stewart haring in from the left to drive just wide.

United clearly had the means to outpace Ipswich's defence and on the half-hour Solskjaer volleyed the ball over after being allowed to run clear.

Much depended on how long Ipswich could tackle and cover. Or failing that a free-kick from David Beckham. Eight minutes before half-time, Wilnis having been cautioned for a late lunge at Phil Neville, Beckham sent a sharply swerving kick towards goal and Ronnie Wallwork's leap over the ball deceived Wright as United drew level.

Earlier Paul Scholes and then Ryan Giggs had drifted in behind the Ipswich defence - one for a blocked cross, the other for a shot blocked by Wright - to suggest that if United could draw level they would soon be controlling the game.

Yet still Ferguson's team struggled to find their familiar rhythm and co-ordination. Yorke came deeper and deeper to find the ball, the influence of Giggs and Beckham remained peripheral, and when Solskjaer did find room to turn for a shot it was easily saved.

Veteran Irish striker Tony Cascarino's future at French Third Division club Red Star is in the balance as his style of play apparently does not suit the new coach's game plan.

"We don't have a system that suits Tony. A decision will be taken very rapidly," Red Star Boss Michel Moulin said yesterday.

Cascarino (37), who scored 15 goals for Nancy in the French First Division last season, admitted he did not feel comfortable with Red Star's style of play. "The situation is difficult," he said.

The former Republic of Ireland international has not been happy since the season began with a heavy defeat for Red Star against Louhans-Cuiseaux two weeks ago.

Ipswich: R Wright, Wilnis, Clapham, Bramble, Venus, Hriedarsson, Holland (Reuser 49), Magilton, Stewart (Scowcroft 84), Johnson, J Wright. Subs Not Used: Branagan, Croft, McGreal.

Manchester Utd: Barthez, G Neville, P Neville (Silvestre 76), Wallwork, Stam, Beckham, Keane, Scholes, Solskjaer (Cole 63), Yorke (Sheringham 78), Giggs. Subs Not Used: Van Der Gouw, Fortune.