UNITED'S youngsters brushed aside patchy league form to launch their FA Youth Cup campaign in confident fashion at Hyde's Ewen Fields.

Despite their middle-of- the-table position in the FA Academy League, the young Reds were always in charge of this third round tie, but they had to work hard find a way past keeper Craig Turner.

He was inspirational in making three fantastic saves from United's Febian Brandy, Danny Welbeck and Magnus Eikrem. But the Reds eventually discovered the formula to open the scoring on the half hour after Welbeck had set-up Brandy, who found the net with a precise finish.

United doubled their lead seven minutes after the break when Turner failed to hold Eikrem's shot.

United clinched their victory, in the 88th minute, when skipper Craig Cathcart headed the third goal from Eikrem's corner.

Turner got a hand to the ball but couldn't prevent it from crossing the line.

The Reds will play either Stockport County or Southampton at home in the fourth round.

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