Manchester United legend Alex Stepney says Sir Alex Ferguson was right to drop David De Gea for victory at Southampton.

De Gea was axed after his performance against Fulham.

"I wasn't expecting it but by dropping De Gea because of his mistake against Fulham the manager has done exactly what he should have done," European Cup winner Stepney told the Manchester Evening News.

"He did it last Christmas after David's error against Blackburn. Losing at Old Trafford to a side who were in trouble and were eventually relegated ultimately proved very costly.

"Losing the title on goal difference shows how matches like that were so damaging. United cannot afford to let that happen again.

"David got away with it on the day against Fulham after he messed up for their second goal, but we had been coasting at 3-1 up to that point and then were hanging on because of it.

"You won't be so fortunate all the time. So sometimes you have to make brutal decisions.

"It was the right thing to do."