VIEW: United vs Southampton (a). 2-1

Good.

Lindegaard and Owen.

Any encounter against a team sitting 47 places below us is never exactly going to have a big game tag attached to it (well, not for any rational United fan anyway). But a place in the starting line-up was a fairly hefty challenge for two players in particular. It was great seeing self-proclaimed biggest United fan in the world Lindegaard finally taking his place between the sticks, but given the lack of threat that was predictably provided from the home side - and with our defence just about able to handle the the overexcited Southampton frontline from causing too much damage - you knew it was always going to be a quiet one for him. As for Owen, in only his fourth start of this injury plagued campaign, it was a real opportunity to stake a claim as Uniteds...erm...fourth choice striker. But seriously, with Rooney going off the boil and Berbatov and Chico impressing time and time again, Owen needs to take his chance when he's handed it. And that he did. With four goals in seven appearances now (Rooney = two in 18), the man has proven yet again that he is the reliable, experienced centre-forward we all too often overlook. During a week when Jamie Carragher's overrated, overpriced bit on the side is wanting to swap the delights of Liverpool for London (can't think why), we have a fantastic professional who's happily grafting on his pay-as-you-play contract. Utilise Owen more, Fergie. With the run-in gaining momentum - as well as the fact that we're still in three competitions - its illogical to overlook someone as gifted as Michael.

Tactical substitutions.

Up to the 58th minute, when the inspired double substitution came, Southampton were well worthy of their 1-0 lead and even more worthy of taking their place in the fifth round draw. They were beating a better team, however a team that lacked any real ambition or, rather worryingly, any direct route to goal. Enter Nani and Giggs. Enter a revitalised Obertan (for Owen's assist on 65 minutes) and the brilliant Giggs, on the back of his inspirational introduction against Blackpool four days earlier, slotting in Chico for his 11th of the season. The starting XI might not have been able to break down a League One side, but conversely, the depth and strength of our squad can turn a game round and beat anyone. And that is why we are the best. Thankyou.

Bad.

Nervy finale.

Well, not quite as nervy as Blackpool in the League, but after the first half, where lets face it, we were hammered, it looked like So'ton were even more up for this than anyone thought. Its no coincidence that they had 49% of possession and more chances on goal than we had. Yet thankfully they failed to genuinely challenge the 'keeper when, against a more ruthless more talented side, we would have found ourselves at least a couple down at the break. Not good enough by a long way in that first 45, and although United's performance didn't exactly dramatically improve, we had enough in reserve to line-up the prospect of Crawley Town and their psycho manager in the next round. Which I'm sure you'll agree will be hilarious.

Gibson and Obertan.

I'm pretty sure I've clumped these two in a single 'Bad' point before. Coincidence? No. They're both shit and were shocking yesterday. Bye bye.

Player Ratings.

Lindegaard 6; O'Shea 6, Evans 6, Smalling 6, Fabio 6; Gibson 5, Anderson 6, Scholes 7; Obetan 4, Hernandez 6, Owen 6.