Welbeck earns Fergie’s praise: Southampton 0, Manchester United 3

TEENAGER Danny Welbeck set Manchester United on the road to a 3-0 FA Cup success at Southampton and earned praise from boss Sir Alex Ferguson.

The impressive 19-year-old fired the Reds in front after 19 minutes and is now showing distinct promise for the Old Trafford giants.

“Danny scored and did fine,” said Ferguson. “He has got a good temperament and personality and he enjoys playing. The potential is definitely there.”

Welbeck opened the scoring when Nani’s corner was headed against the crossbar by John O’Shea and the striker had the simple task of nodding home the rebound from point–blank range.

Nani scored United’s second from the penalty spot and substitute Darron Gibson smashed home a late third to notch his first goal for the club.

Southampton captain Kelvin Davis believes Matt Paterson will learn from the red card shame that cost them any chance of an upset.

The Saints were already a goal down before Paterson was dismissed by referee Mike Riley for a lunge on United defender Nemanja Vidic.

Ferguson said Riley could have helped the situation by speaking to Paterson in the opening minutes when the Southampton player made heavy challenges that went unpunished.

“I think if the referee had booked him in the first minutes maybe it would have calmed him down a bit, because it was exuberance more than anything,” said Ferguson..

“He was charging about, and it happens sometimes, he was over–enthusiastic really.”


FA CUP DRAW

Liverpool v Everton, Man United v Tottenham, Hull/Newcastle v Millwall/Crewe, Sunderland v Blyth Spartans/Blackburn, Hartlepool v West Ham, Leyton Orient/Sheff United v Charlton/Norwich, Cardiff v Arsenal, Portsmouth/Bristol City v Histon/Swansea, Chelsea/Southend v Ipswich, Cheltenham/Doncaster v Aston Villa, WBA/Peterborough v QPR/Burnley, Torquay v Coventry, Kettering v Fulham, Watford v Leicester/Crystal Palace, Derby v Nottm Forest, Birmingham/Wolves v Middlesbrough.



Ties to be played week beginning January 24.