The Portugal star had been one of a number of inconsistent performers for the hosts against a Spurs outfit who hit the bar through Robbie Keane, saw one Dimitar Berbatov effort cleared off the line by Rio Ferdinand and a fierce penalty appeal for handball against Wes Brown turned down.

But, just as it seemed United would lose more ground in their battle to keep pace with table-toppers Chelsea, Nani unleashed a brutal 30-yard effort which gave under-fire England keeper Paul Robinson no chance.

Dimitar Berbatov was a surprise inclusion for Tottenham as Martin Jol looked to put a week of misery behind him by beating Manchester United at Old Trafford.

Berbatov, who has been heavily linked with a move to United in recent days, was expected to miss out with a thigh strain but replaced new signing Darren Bent in a Spurs line-up that also contained debutant full-back Gareth Bale.

Without a win in three games so far and unhappily perched in second bottom slot, United were desperate for three points.

Sir Alex Ferguson's side was unchanged from the one defeated at Manchester City last weekend and, despite believing both Louis Saha and Anderson would be available, neither man made it onto the bench.

The afternoon almost started disastrously for the hosts as Nani gifted possession to Steed Malbranque inside the home half.

Berbatov eventually flicked a pass to Keane and, taking aim from 20 yards, the Irishman clipped the top of the bar with Edwin van der Sar beaten.

With England coach Steve McClaren watching on, Paul Robinson was looking to impress, although the Spurs keeper was not troubled by a Ryan Giggs volley that flew well over after Nani had nodded Owen Hargreaves' long ball into the Welshman's path.

The Spurs fans launched into a series of chants backing Jol, who has supposedly to deliver Champions League football to White Hart Lane next season, otherwise he will be shown the door.

His side were doing a good job keeping United at arm's length, although Giggs might have done more with Nani's deep cross than tamely prod it straight into Robinson's arms.

Bale, starting on the left of Tottenham's midfield, broke up a threatening United attack and darted 80 yards downfield to win a corner off Rio Ferdinand.

Pascal Chimbonda got his head to the set piece but his effort bounced narrowly wide as Anthony Gardner closed in.

More uncertainty in the United area ended when Ricardo Rocha blazed over, then Ferdinand's hesitation almost proved fatal as Berbatov stole in behind him and Nemanja Vidic needed to throw himself in the way of the Tottenham man's shot.

The hosts countered immediately and Hargreaves' shot deflected into Ferdinand's path but Robinson pulled off a fine save to deny his England team-mate.

Michael Carrick then came close to breaking the deadlock with a fizzing 25-yard drive which whizzed past Robinson's left-hand post.

Operating in a more advanced role than normal, Scholes got on the end of Giggs' low cross and flicked it just over.

Ferdinand then tried to pick Tevez out with a long ball which just bounced beyond the forward, who was not having much impact.

Rocha got in to deny the former West Ham star shortly afterwards after an exchange of passes with Giggs.

United's need for more forward support was never more evident than when Scholes picked up a loose ball 10 yards inside his own half, initially drove forward but then had to check back completely as Tottenham defenders closed in from all sides.

Spurs were on the back foot, although they did break forward long enough for Tom Huddlestone to try his luck from 20 yards. The England Under-21 international never got hold of the shot properly and it bobbled harmlessly wide.

Nani cut into the box but his shot lacked power, then Jermaine Jenas took the sting out of a long-range Hargreaves effort.

Giggs was booked for a late tackle on Lee Young-pyo, then Nani and Rocha went down in a heap after a mid-air collision.

Chimbonda produced a perfectly-timed challenge to halt Patrice Evra's surge into the Spurs box, then Hargreaves screwed another shot wide just before the interval.

Intro: Goal-shy Manchester United drew another first-half blank as Tottenham held firm at Old Trafford.

With just a single goal from three previous outings this season, Sir Alex Ferguson's men began the contest inside the Premier League relegation zone.

But, despite dominating possession, the hosts came closer to conceding than scoring, Robbie Keane chipping against the bar inside the opening 20 seconds.

Carrick was not having the best of games and he ran straight into Chimbonda's firm challenge after Evra had picked him out on the edge of the Tottenham area.

The visitors were gaining in confidence and Huddlestone fired over when he might have done better.

Carrick's woeful pass put Brown in trouble and the England man earned a yellow card as he chopped Bale down in a desperate bid to reach the ball.

Nani bundled Chimbonda over by the touchline to give Bale a chance to curl a dangerous free-kick into the box. Rocha climbed above Ferdinand and should have scored. Instead, his header flew narrowly wide.

Carrick was replaced by Chris Eagles, a move which ended the England man's personal nightmare and, in theory, brought more width to United's play.

Huddlestone was booked for taking a swipe at Nani's legs but yet again, United wasted possession.

In fact, they came so close to falling behind as Berbatov rose first after a penalty box tangle with Vidic and prodded the ball through Van der Sar's legs. It seemed certain his effort would roll over the line but in the nick of time, Ferdinand arrived to clear.

Spurs then had a penalty appeal turned down as Berbatov beat Vidic, then got a break of the ball off Van der Sar before powering his shot goalwards.

TV replays showed the ball struck Wes Brown on the chest. Berbatov thought otherwise and led the fierce protests as referee Howard Webb waved them away.

The game had opened up now and Jenas cleared off the line from Tevez after Nani had burst forward.

Nani might have been a frustrating presence in the United side but he provided the inspiration which saw them take the lead.

Picking up a loose ball 30 yards out, the teenager let fly with a thunderous shot which appeared to flick off Tevez's back before flying into the roof of Robinson's goal.

Spurs charged forward looking for an equaliser but it would not come, allowing United to breathe a massive sigh of relief.