04 January,2009 08:12 AM IST | | PA Sport
Alex Ferguson sends his team to Southampton on Sunday secure in the knowledge one hugely important result has already gone Man United's way this weekend. While Harry Redknapp celebrated from Spurs' FA Cup win over Wigan, Ferguson's delight won't have been much less. For Wigan's defeat leaves the Latics free to fulfil one of the two EPL fixtures United have in hand over Liverpool and Chelsea. It should be simple for United to reach Round 4. This Southampton team is far from the ones that caused Ferguson problems a decade ago, part of an unbroken stint of 27 years in the top flight. "Southampton were one of the most consistent teams for nearly 30 years," said Ferguson. "They had a golden period under Lawrie McMenemy with Peter Shilton, Mike Channon, Kevin Keegan. Now they are having to deal with young players but their coach has done a great job considering he has no money to work with."
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