Southampton 0 United 3

January 04, 2009

UNITED eased into the FA Cup fourth round with an emphatic victory at St Mary's.

Youngsters Danny Wellbeck and Darron Gibson scored either side of a Nani penalty as the Reds set up a fourth round clash at home to Tottenham.

Southampton, struggling near the foot of the Championship, weren't helped when they were reduced to 10 men after Matt Paterson's shin-high challenge on Nemanja Vidic received a straight red.

Sir Alex Ferguson left striker Wayne Rooney on the bench and rested Cristiano Ronaldo while Rio Ferdinand missed out with a back injury while Carlos Tevez was back home in Argentina having been given time off by the United boss.

United created the first real chance in the 16th minute when Nani forced Kelvin Davis into a fine save diving low to his right.

The goal United had been threatening since the kick-off finally arrived in the 19th minute through Welbeck.

Nani's corner was headed against the crossbar by John O'Shea and Welbeck had the simple task of nodding home the rebound from point blank range.

Moments later a brilliant ball from O'Shea almost put Berbatov through for a second goal but his shot was deflected wide.

United should have been two goals in front in the 26th minute when Berbatov and Michael Carrick carved open the Saints back four.

Carrick ran on to lift the ball over the advancing Davis but with the goal at his mercy, Southampton defender Chris Perry produced a fine tackle to deny him.

Southampton's plight worsened in the 35th minute when Paterson was sent off by referee Mike Riley.

The Saints player, who had already been warned about a number of heavy challenges, was dismissed for violent conduct after the lunge on Vidic.

Southampton's cause was well and truly lost a minute after the re-start when referee Riley awarded United a penalty for handball against David McGoldrick.

Oliver Lancashire brought down Welbeck on the edge of the penalty area and when Nani tried to get the ball over the defensive wall, Riley adjudged that McGoldrick had blocked its path with his arm.

Nani took full advantage though when he converted the resultant spot-kick - sending Davis the wrong way.

United's dominance was such that they replaced Ryan Giggs and Michael Carrick with Gibson and Rodrigo Possebon in the 55th minute.

In the 62nd minute Welbeck made way for Wayne Rooney as United looked to seal a comfortable afternoon with a third goal.

And Gibson wrapped up the victory in the 81st minute when he volleyed past Davies after a neat reverse pass from Rooney.

| Submit Comments | Comments (36) |

Showing comments 1 to 25 and replies | View All

Bradley (04/01/2009 at 17:58)

What a game by Berbatov. Good result and some lovely football, 9-0 would have reflected the game better. Lets all hear from the Berties now complaining about the ref.....yawn. Bring on the spuds

Lower Broughton Soul, Battling though the 'giddyness' (04/01/2009 at 17:58)

For all you Berties lurking on here......

That's how you beat a team struggling at the bottom end of the Championship!!

ted knott, droylsden (04/01/2009 at 18:00)

well done old mother Riley out of your bias you once again ruined an FA Cup tie.

Hilal Sued, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania (04/01/2009 at 18:14)

We are definitely seeing the last of the '1-0' curses, things are definitely going to be different from now on. It's good that all the tricky matches in the PL will be at OT -- the slaughter ground. Beware Chelsea, Arsenal, Liverpool, City, Villa, Spurs, Everton -- I just fear for you.

MOM is Berbatov -- the sulker -- always its as if he's not in the game, but out of the blue turns out to be a deadly passer/striker.

AS, Ipswich (04/01/2009 at 18:16)

We won but is is a shame that most of our young players (except Wellbeck)were not interested to force their way in the full team.Nani,Gibson and Possebon did not do enough. Hence we are struggling to score well constructed goals. Giggs and Carrick had poor games.
Evans is just starting to loose concentration after playing so many games. I hope he comes back to basic defending.
The only positive came from only VDS,Vida,GN and Berbatov who was immense.It is a shame that the latter lost his shooting boots since he moves to us.

danny, WILMSLOW (04/01/2009 at 18:20)

Great enjoyable game the ref was on the Saints side a 100% penalty sandwich not given then Berbatov brought down last man it should have been another RED.Riley must have a soft spot for Saints.
Bebatov what a creative player great game.
Wellbeck movement and ability fantastic he will give any forward a run for his money.
We were imense Nancy plays much better up front causes problems for defenders.
A great performance.
Nani is just not taking his opportunities to shine.EVANS
did not shine either.
However it was great to show how big our squad is and we have some talent.
Rooney did very well when he came on too.

Offerton Robbo (04/01/2009 at 18:34)

CRUCIFIXION TO GOOD?

Well done lads - professional performance - not like those clowns down the road - at least the bitters that watched the game saw where they will be playing next season!!

It just goeas to show how easily a season can be ruined - that tackle was totally intentional - it was meant as a leg breaker!! We could have been without Vidic for the season.

If Vidic's leg would have been planted then it would have been curtains for the season - for him any way - a bit like blue noses season.

In my opinion crucifixion would be too good for the lad who made the 'so called' tackle.

But to all the Bitters reading this - maybe the lad should be signed up at wastelands - at least there was some passion in his play - not like those Losers yesterday.

STILL BELIEVING - 6 TROPHIES HERE WE COME!!!

alan matthews (04/01/2009 at 18:46)

Ted you really should be taking your medication???

MJW, New York (04/01/2009 at 18:46)

An easy win, as everyone has said. But I agree with AS of Ipswich who wrote it's a shame that Berbatov has lost his shooting boots since he moving to United. He is a tremendously skillful addition but by hanging so deep, he is seldom in position to bang the ball into the net. Or when he does get the ball, he is marked by a number of opposing players. He would be great to see Berbatov mix it up a bit, and take on the striker position from time to time. Against a weak team like Southampton, I would have thought both he and Rooney would have at least scored a goal each. As for Anderson, some good skill, as with Nani. But in a team of such high quality and expectations, time is running out for them. Does anyone agree we are missing Brown and Hargreaves?

danny, WILMSLOW (04/01/2009 at 18:50)

We should not be talking about City they have big problems HUGHES will be out of a job soon how many managers have they had now.Ted Knot is not even welcome on the bitters site.
12 million for Bridge that has to be crazy he is useless.

danny, WILMSLOW (04/01/2009 at 19:04)

We are not missing anybody when Brown does not play there are less own goals.However the sick note we signed from Munich is a class player.

Neddy Tott, Manchester (04/01/2009 at 19:08)

united say the FA are biased to this over rated club ,well how much easier can it get than a trip to Southampton ,a struggling Championship Club.Cant see united winning anything this season.

Ron Jeremy, upper ramsbottom (04/01/2009 at 19:10)

had to leave this so your comments get into double figures

bobbyc, Manchester (04/01/2009 at 19:15)

See old Bitter Bertie Knott still at it ! Still reeling from Forests victory ,Ted? Let me know when its the 33rd anniversary for citys last trophy ,and I will send you a card!

bobbyc, Manchester (04/01/2009 at 19:28)

A stroll ,and just what was needed with the hectic fixtures ahead this Month.The squad is proving the strength in depth .No Ronaldo, Rooney( only a sub)Tevez ,Evra ,Ferdinand ,Scholes.Brown.Never to be underestimated on their own turf ,Championship teams can produce surprises.A job well done in my opinion,and Derby co. next in line to test the squad.

bobbyc, Manchester (04/01/2009 at 19:33)

Old Mother Knott strikes again .Your New Years resolution Bitter Ted should be keep your blue nose out of United(World Champions)affairs ,and concentrate on the many problems city have had for 33 years .

mazzy manny, who knows (04/01/2009 at 19:53)

Nice result using young players easy game.
Come on berties vent your 0-3 defeat on our 0-3 win im just waiting oh the joy.
0-3 each way but the other way around im happy.let the bitters comment there bitter comments,silly lemon comments welcome allways pmsl.

red john (04/01/2009 at 20:47)

mjw of new york; yes agree we are missung both; i think wes is back in training now and coulod be in contention in next week or so; hargreaves unfortuantely is out all season; iam worried about his long term future tho he has the same in jury as ronnie johnson who sadly never really recovered! Am disapponted united didnt take this match seriuosly after the second goal; as it presented itself an oppurtunity to score some goals to boost confidence, As always rooney was up for it but many were content to play out time; berbatov needs to start shooting a sure sign of lack of confidence like the team as a whole when it comes to finishing! Lost opputunity today to rectify that; it is a nagging worry

Col, Ontario., Canada (04/01/2009 at 21:32)

Nani is not going to make it and neither is Gibson. Nani can't beat a man and his crossing has deteriorated. Possebon on the other hand had one errant pass and plays well with Anderson who had a strong game. No question we need Evra Ferdinand and Raphael back with Vidic. Full marks to Southhampton for trying to make a game of it.

wayneold, manc (04/01/2009 at 21:48)

The ref made it a little easy for us, ah well never mind? Ive been away, were there any other good results?

Khalad Mahmood, Silet, Bangladesh (04/01/2009 at 22:25)

Firstly, Berbatov was wonderful in the deep lying role today. What a stupendous display of exquisite touch, vision, close control and defence splitting flicks and back heels. Admittedly, on one occaision in the second half he should have shot himself, but that would be my only criticism of him. Secondly, forget the hype and spin doctoring coming from Sir, Johnny Evans is nowhere near a United player. He makes mistakes too regularly, but worse than that, he is awful in possession. The ball is like a hot potato to him. Gerrard Pique was 10 times the player Evans is. Evans is no better than the ones we've moved on, like Shawcross and Mcshane. When Wes Brown is fit again we will be OK, because Wes is quality back up for Rio and Vidic. Lastly, Nani. What can you say about him. I've defended him lots of times on here because I thought he had so much potential. But he is rubbish really. All strut and no sructure. All backflips and rolling about on the floor, but no end product. All dance and no destruction. You get the picture. Ronaldo is frustrating at times, and a play actor. But the difference is that Ronaldo is more likely to win you a game than anyone else in the team, and Nani is not. If this new Serb is any good, it may mean the end of Nani at OT considering Sir's current fondness for Ji Sung Park.

Drifter, Mancunia (04/01/2009 at 23:08)

Danny Wellbeck and Darron Gibson scored! Well done lads

RED RAZOR'S SKY DISH (04/01/2009 at 23:25)

Lower Broughton's soul, well said, you have done well getting back so quick, how did you do it ?

ENGINEER, Heywood (05/01/2009 at 00:05)

I agree with the comments about Berbatov and have always said he has great ability, but as said he like to drop deep for the ball, exactly like Tevez and Rooney so we don.t have a centre forward to occupy the central defenders, again why no Manucho on the bench at least will we ever see him or has he been bought for the reserves?
Welbeck did ok but I still do not think he is good enough as no matter what the result was this was a team no better than our reserves as they have six academy players because they have no one else so I was disappointed with what at time was lack of pace in our team, started with Carricke and Giggs in the middle.
Anderson lookked lost at first on the wing, and those who say about Gibson he to was shoved on the wing when he is not that type of player and any player who gets stuck somewhere he can;t play will never look good. As for Nani he is unlucky because he never has a good run in the side so builds no momentum, when Ronaldo first started he was played continualy therefore got better.
I do wonder sometimes what team we will have and which one will turn up, we so far have not played with any pace but slow build ups.
I wonder if Tojic will get a game on Weds against Derby.
I also lost count of the amount of times when a shot was on but we tried little intricate short passes which were mostly cut out or blocked.
Because of the constant team changes I don;t see any rythem to the team.

keithmat (05/01/2009 at 00:39)

World Champions 3 team second from bottom of championship bankrupt down to 10 men all about 17yrs old 0 - yes it was a stroll and a yawn but it certainly does not indicate we have improved in any way, only Rooney was really honest when he came on the rest didn;t look like they gave a monkeys - a refund for all paying fans is in order.

()

Report

Manchester United