LONDON, Jan 5: Premier League giants Manchester United reached the fourth round of the FA Cup on Sunday after seeing off lower league opponents Southampton.

United beat Championship (division two) strugglers Southampton, who played for almost an hour with 10 men, 3-0 at St Mary’s Stadium and will now meet Tottenham Hotspur at Old Trafford in the fourth round.

United, who were last beaten in the third round of the FA Cup 25 years ago, weathered some early pressure from Southampton but the outcome was rarely in doubt after Danny Welbeck headed home from two metres out in the 20th minute.

Southampton were in more trouble 16 minutes later when teenage defender Matthew Paterson was sent off by referee Mike Riley for a studs-up challenge on United defender Nemanja Vidic although the challenge hardly troubled the Serbia defender.

United effectively wrapped the tie up in the 48th minute after Riley made another controversial decision, ruling that David McGoldrick had handled a Nani freekick when the ball appeared to hit his back.

Nani duly converted the penalty.

Substitute Darron Gibson scored United’s third after 81 minutes.

Results: