London, March 3:

John O’Shea scored in injury time to give Manchester United a 1-0 victory at Liverpool on Saturday and put more pressure on Chelsea in the Premier League title race. Second-place Chelsea now enters its game at Portsmouth 12 points behind United.

With United down to 10 men after the expulsion of Paul Scholes, Reds goalkeeper Pepe Reina failed to hold Cristiano Ronaldo’s powerfully hit free kick and O’Shea drove the rebound into the roof of the net.

Scholes was sent off in the 85th minute after lashing out at Xabi Alonso for the Red Devils’ first red card of the season. Despite upcoming vital Champions League games, both managers fielded full-strength lineups with United winger Ryan Giggs making his 700th appearance.

In the 27th minute John Arne Riise’s low shot flew just wide of the far post after a free kick. Liverpool should have gone ahead in the 32nd when Craig Bellamy got past Nemanja Vidic, but his cross couldn’t find the unmarked Dirk Kuyt in front of goal.

United goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar had to dive full-length to push a low shot from Bellamy round the post in the 47th as Liverpool continued to create chances in the second half. Two minutes later, Bellamy had the ball in United’s net — only for the goal to be disallowed for offside.

Wayne Rooney went off the field with blood oozing from a cut on his right thigh after a challenge by Jamie Carragher. But the striker should be available for Wednesday’s Champions League game against Lille with United leading 1-0 from the first leg. Liverpool hosts Barcelona on Tuesday, leading 2-1.

After Scholes had been sent off, Liverpool had another chance to win the game with three minutes to go. Substitute striker Peter Crouch controlled a cross and shot from six yards, only for Van der Sar to block the ball by diving to his left.

It was the first time the two northern powerhouses had met since they both became owned by American businessmen. Malcolm Glazer, owner of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers NFL team, and his sons control United. Tom Hicks, owner of the Dallas Stars NHL ice hockey team and the Texas Rangers MLB baseball club and George Gillett Jr, owner of the Montreal Canadiens NHL ice hockey team, recently bought Liverpool.