Substitute Ruud van Nistelrooy - who had replaced Diego Forlan - broke down the right and coolly squared the ball for Giggs to wrong-foot the keeper before slotting home.
Beckham eventually left the training ground with former Manchester United team-mate Ruud van Nistelrooy and insisted he would watch the second half of England's friendly against Greece at Old Trafford - if he got home in time.
BBC: SPORT | Football | Europe | Beckham late for Madrid training
And with full-time looming Van Nistelrooy scored his team's third, heading home a Giggs cross.
This year our hopes are again high, based on the team's impressive form and our star-studded attacking line-up with van Nistelrooy, van Persie and Robben.
United needed a lifeline desperately - and it was Van Nistelrooy who inevitably provided it after 51 minutes.
Ruud van Nistelrooy had an early half-chance before the superb Zoltan Gera saw a shot deflected narrowly wide.
The procedures were carried out under the guidance of leading American knee surgeon Richard Steadman, who has previously operated on former Newcastle striker Alan Shearer, current Magpies forward Michael Owen and ex-Red Devils striker Ruud van Nistelrooy, who is now at Real Madrid.
Many believe the catalyst for the rift between Ferguson and Van Nistelrooy was a reported training ground bust-up between the player and team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo.
Recent newspaper speculation has suggested that Van Nistelrooy may leave United in the summer - but Ferguson has not made any comment on his future.
BBC: SPORT | Football | My Club | Man Utd | Robson fearful for Van Nistelrooy
Dr Steadman can count Ruud van Nistelrooy and Michael Owen among his high-profile clients and now United hope he can cure Hargreaves's recurring tendinitis problem.
Dutch striker Ruud van Nistelrooy announced his retirement following Malaga's 1-0 over Sporting Gijon, after a career which has seen the prolific former Netherlands striker star at Manchester United and Real Madrid.
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Van Nistelrooy's goal has injected United with a self-belief they had lacked before, and both Ryan Giggs and Gary Neville came close to reducing the deficit further.
It gave Van Nistelrooy the remarkable tally of 35 Champions League goals in 39 appearances - and United a vital victory.
BBC: SPORT | Football | Europe | Manchester United 2-1 Benfica
Two goals in two minutes late in the match from from Ruud Van Nistelrooy and Martin Demichelis ensured Malaga moved three points clear of fifth-placed Levante , who were beaten 2-0 at home by Osasuna.
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