Saints in trip down Memory Lane

MEMORIES of one of the biggest shocks in FA Cup history will be rekindled on Sunday (4pm) when Manchester United take on Southampton at St Mary’s.

Way back in 1976, the little-known Bobby Stokes wrote his name into FA Cup folklore by scoring the only goal of the game as Second Division side Southampton, managed by Lawrie McMenemy, beat Tommy Doherty’s overwhelming favourites from the top flight of English football.

Since those heady days, Southampton's fortunes have taken a turn for the worse, although it is only four seasons since they were relegated from the Premier League.

Ironically, a 2-1 defeat at the hands of United in the 2004/5 campaign was the result which confirmed their relegation from the top division.

United also dumped Southampton out of the cup during that season when they cruised to a 4-0 win at St Mary’s.

The Saints are in their fourth season in the Coca-Cola Championship, but their place is currently under threat following a series of poor results.

They sit second from bottom and are in real danger of relegation under the stewardship of Dutchman Jan Poortvliet, who took over as manager in May of last year, succeeding Nigel Pearson.

Poortvliet, a defender who played for Holland at the 1978 World Cup in Argentina, came to the South Coast with the reputation of being a manager able to bring success on a shoestring budget.

But despite his excellent track record in Holland, he has so far been unable to repeat those achievements at Southampton.

For their part, United will be desperate to progress into round four at the first attempt.

They have already lost ground games-wise on Liverpool and Chelsea at the top of the Premier League following their exploits at the Fifa Club World Cup, so an FA Cup replay is just about the last thing manager Sir Alex Ferguson requires.

United have been a little off colour in 1-0 victories over Stoke and Middlesbrough on their last two outings, so Ferguson may shuffle his pack in a bid to bring some freshness to the side.

But he may be without Argentinian Carlos Tevez and Brazilian Anderson, who both returned home last week for family reasons.

That could mean a start for midfield genius Paul Scholes, whose season has been severely compromised by injury.

Scholes will have fond memories of his last visit to St Mary’s when he scored two goals in his side’s 4-0 FA Cup sixth-round victory.

More of the same would do nicely for Scholes and United, while Cristiano Ronaldo, who also got on the scoresheet that day, is in need of a tonic after some lack-lustre performances which have attracted the attention of his many critics.

Ronaldo looked an unhappy figure against Middlesbrough, fuelling fresh rumours of a summer move to Spanish giants Real Madrid.