What is often overlooked about David Beckham's stint as a Manchester United player is the amount of big games that he scored in.

Of his 85 goals in all competitions there were FA Cup semi-final strikes against both Chelsea and Arsenal, while neighbours Manchester City, as well as Real Madrid in the Champions League, both conceded goals scored by Beckham in a United shirt.

The right winger also made a match-winning impact against United's bitterest rivals Liverpool 19 years ago today.

© Getty Images

This fixture always carries huge significance, but it was particularly important for the hosting Red Devils as they trailed Roy Evans's unbeaten visitors, who were top of the table after eight matches, by four points.

In fairness to the Merseysiders, they dominated much of the contest at Old Trafford, but it was Beckham's impact in the 23rd minute that proved to be decisive.

From the halfway line, United full-back Gary Neville hoisted a high ball up towards the Liverpool penalty area. It was controlled expertly by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, but just as the Norwegian prepared to take aim, he was robbed of possession by Dominic Matteo's sliding challenge.

But, the loose ball broke for an alert Beckham 20 yards from goal and, despite the best efforts of a fast approaching Phil Babb, United's number 10 drilled a low right footed shot into the bottom corner of David James's net.

Unperturbed by the fact that they had fallen a goal behind, the league leaders set about restoring parity after the restart with a string of attacks.

Their best two chances fell the way of Stan Collymore and Patrik Berger, both of whom found themselves one on one with United's Peter Schmeichel. However, it was the Danish keeper that came out on top on both occasions with trademark stops.

Schmeichel's second-half impact meant that when referee David Elleray blew the final whistle, 21-year-old Beckham's goal had earned his side all three points.

It was already his fifth goal of the campaign - one that would end with him being voted the PFA Young Player of the Year by his peers.

Man United: Schmeichel; G Neville, May, Johnsen, Irwin; Poborsky (Scholes), Butt, Beckham, Cruyff; Cantona, Solskjaer (Giggs)

Liverpool: James; Bjornebye, Matteo, Babb, Scales (Redknapp); McAteer, Thomas, Barnes, McManaman, Berger; Collymore