By Chris O'Brien
March 1 2005

Manchester United will face Southampton in the quarter-finals of the F.A Challenge Cup. The Saints needed a replay against Brentford to secure their position in the last eight of the world's greatest cup competition.

Manchester United will play Premiership strugglers Southampton at the St. Mary's as the defence of the F.A Cup continues. Harry Redknapp's side secured a place in the last eight of the world's greatest Cup competition as they came from behind to beat Brentford in a 5th round replay at Griffin Park, securing a visit from the holders.

Peter Crouch continued his impressive run of form with a brace as the Saints silenced the Bees fans struck by Cup fever with a 3-1 victory. Victories away at Northampton then a narrow home win over bitter rivals Portsmouth got the Saints to the F.A Cup, as they aim to go one better than in 2003 when Arsenal beat the South Coast side in the Millennium Stadium final.

United reached the quarter-final with wins over Exeter City, Middlesbrough and Everton. The Champions League chasers proved no trouble, yet non-league Exeter City gave Sir Alex Ferguson a real headache. The Grecians took United to a replay in Devon before a full-strength XI took a 1-0 win away from St.James' Park. 'Boro and the Toffees were then both comfortably beaten.

The tie at the St.Mary's will take place on the 12th or the 13th of March. In other replay's, Arsenal needed penalties to knock-out Sheffield United whilst in the big Lancastrian derby Blackburn edges past Burnley. With Forest and Spurs facing eachother again on Wednesday, the quarter-final draw currently looks as follows:

Newcastle v Tottenham or Nottingham Forest
Southampton v Manchester United
Bolton v Arsenal
Blackburn v Leicester