United twice found themselves behind, first to Zat Knight's early flick and then to Martin Petrov's second-half effort.

But Nani's solo strike brought them level before the interval before substitute Michael Owen flicked home the winger's free-kick to make the score 2-2 and leave United three points adrift of leaders Chelsea.

Emile Heskey's late goal enabled new Aston Villa boss Gerard Houllier to emerge triumphant from his first Barclays Premier League match in charge of the midlands club at Wolves.

The former England striker celebrated his first league start for six months by heading home an 87th-minute cross from Stephen Warnock to seal a 2-1 win for Villa.

Matt Jarvis' first goal of the campaign looked to have rescued Wolves a point after Stewart Downing's close-range effort separated the sides at half-time.

James Perch's own goal handed Stoke all three Barclays Premier League points at Newcastle as the visitors came from behind to record a 2-1 away success.

Trailing to Kevin Nolan's 43-minute penalty after a poor first-half display, City got themselves back on terms when Sunderland old boy Kenwyne Jones headed home from close range with 67 minutes gone.

And there was worse to come for the Magpies when Perch headed Matthew Etherington's 85th-minute corner into his own net under pressure from Robert Huth.