The Football Association have been involved in extensive discussions with both clubs, Hampshire Police and match broadcasters BBC following the trouble which accompanied United's Saturday evening trip to Everton in the previous round.
In the wake of that violence, which saw United goalkeeper Roy Carroll struck on the head by a coin thrown by an Everton supporter, FA chief executive Brian Barwick said he would review the impact of Saturday evening kick-offs on crowd behaviour.
Though the timing is hardly likely to win favour with Red Devils fans making the long journey to St Mary's, the early evening slot has proved popular with the TV companies, although this particular tie will leave the BBC with a scheduling dilemma as they have previously indicated England's Six Nations rugby union clash with Italy at Twickenham - due to kick-off at 4pm on the same day - will be shown in its entirety on BBC1.
The other three sixth round ties will all be screened live but a decision on dates and kick-off times will not be made until after tonight's fifth-round replay between Nottingham Forest and Tottenham. Tweet
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Am tellin ya, am tellin ya. Watch this space. Sarfampton 2 Yooonited 1. There goes yer season, boyos. Am tellin ya, am tellin ya!
Speak sensibly!!! S'mpton are going to be relegated this season, they are struggling like a third division side. I see united going on a cruel rampage against a hapless saints.
Another 100k in the transfer kitty, for a new GK, winger, striker, defender, starlet, - delete as appropriate.
Arry Red is right there - don't count your chickens! Remember August 2003, when everyone expected you to staem roll Southampton, it ended up 1-0 Soton with a late Beattie goal. I seriously think they can cause an upset, particularly with Manchester United's exhausting trip to Milan having passed just a few days before!