Premier League champions Manchester United made it through to the fourth round of the FA Cup yesterday.
Manchester United's Serbian player Nemanja Vidic watches as Danny Welbeck (right) heads the ball into the net to score the opening goal against Southampton during the FA Cup third round match at St Mary's stadium in Southampton yesterday. PIC/AFP
Premier League champions Manchester United made it through to the fourth round of the FA Cup yesterday.
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English, European and world champions United ensured there was no repeat of their shock defeat by Southampton in the 1976 FA Cup final with a 3-0 victory away to the struggling Championship side.
Southampton's task was made all but impossible after Matthew Paterson was sent-off shortly before half-time after receiving a straight red card from referee Mike Riley for a studs-up challenge on United's Nemanja Vidic.
United, who've won the FA Cup a record 11 times, went 2-0 up early in the second-half when Nani scored with a penalty awarded by Riley after he ruled the Portugal midfielder's free-kick had been blocked by David McGoldrick's hands.
Replays suggested the ball had in fact hit McGoldrick on the back of the head but, by raising his arms, the Saints player clouded the issue.
Substitute Darron Gibson made it 3-0 with his first United goal nine minutes from time.
United will now welcome top-flight rivals Tottenham Hotspur to Old Trafford in the fourth round.
But Spurs manager Harry Redknapp, previously in charge of FA Cup holders Portsmouth, knows what it takes to win a Cup away to United having overseen Pompey's shock 1-0 quarter-final win at Old Trafford last season.
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