Wolverhampton Wanderers 0 - 3 Manchester United

United cruise past Wolves

Updated: January 29, 2006, 6:06 PM UK

Two-goal hero Kieran Richardson breathed fresh life into his World Cup claims as Manchester United romped into the FA Cup fifth round with a 3-0 win at Wolves.

Given England's lack of left-sided options, Richardson was always a contender to make Sven-Goran Eriksson's squad for this summer's finals in Germany.

But, in front of England coach Eriksson, the young winger picked the perfect time to net his first United brace.

He took just four minutes to make his mark, ramming home Louis Saha's cross from the edge of the area.

• Ince impressed with Rio's midfield display

Then Richardson then wrapped up a comfortable triumph with a clinically-taken header not long after the restart.

In between, the Greenwich-born wide man had shown pace and poise on the ball.

And, although Joe Cole appears to be Eriksson's first-choice to fill the problematic left-sided berth, Richardson's ability to play in defence as well as midfield could see him included in the Swede's 23-man squad.

Aside from Richardson's efforts, Louis Saha continued his excellent scoring record in cup competitions this season, blasting home his eighth goal of the season, all but one of which have come in knockout combat.

In truth it was as easy a run-out as Sir Alex Ferguson could have hoped for, especially at a time when his squad is so weakened by the absence of star men.

To fuel any hope of causing a shock, Wolves needed a fast start and when the team sheets came through, must have fancied their chances of unsettling United's central midfield combination of Rio Ferdinand and Wayne Rooney.

In the build-up to the contest, Sir Alex Ferguson spent plenty of time explaining why he would prefer not to play either in that role.

But Alan Smith's lack of match fitness, combined with the absence of four other senior midfield men through injury, persuaded Ferguson to take the gamble anyway and Wolves were unable to combat the threat.

Critics may argue Glenn Hoddle's decision to name a three-man midfield left his defence exposed but that could hardly be the reason Joleon Lescott and Gabor Gyepes failed to cut out Saha's cross.

After spending time on loan at West Brom last season, Richardson no doubt relished the opportunity of making the Baggies' major local rivals suffer and he rasped home a fierce shot with relish.

The goal took the bite out of Wolves' play and for a while after that, they looked set to be swept away by a tidal wave of Red Devils attacks.

But, a mixture of profligacy on the visitors part and Paul Ince's never-say-die spirit allowed Glenn Hoddle's men to stave off further trouble and the game could have looked very different if referee Uriah Rennie had not blown for a foul when United debutant Nemanja Vidic flattened Carl Cort.

Two bounces of the ball later, Ince smashed a shot into the top corner, only to turn round in disgust as Rennie ruled the effort out.

It was as near as Wolves came to an equaliser before the visitors seized control.

Stefan Postma had already saved well from Richardson and Saha when Vidic launched a long ball beyond the Wolves defence in the final minute of the opening period.

Saha's pace took him clear and within an instant, he had smashed home in fine style.

The half-time introduction of Colin Cameron briefly threatened to spark Wolves back to life but after the veteran Scot had seen his thunderous effort turned away by Edwin van der Sar, the hosts were undone again and Richardson profited once more, this time from Van Nistelrooy's cross.

From that moment on, the action was largely academic. Carl Cort did miss dismally when presented with a clear chance just eight yards out.

Cort's replacement, debutant Tomasz Frankowski came slightly closer with a shot across the face of goal but as the game meandered to its conclusion, Gary Neville provided the main talking point.

Given the negative publicity that accompanied his wild goal celebrations against Liverpool last week, Neville might have been advised not to kick the ball back into the Wolves fans after United had been awarded a goal-kick.

Unlike Mike Riley seven days ago, Rennie spotted Neville's misdemeanour this time and promptly booked the United skipper.

Ince impressed with Rio's midfield display

Paul Ince has called on Sven-Goran Eriksson to hand Rio Ferdinand a midfield holding role with England following the Manchester United man's outstanding display at Wolves.

'I have always said Rio is a fantastic player and he could do that holding role for England,' said Ince.

'I know there is a question mark over who is going to play centre-half but Rio is good enough to play in that position (midfield) and Sven should be looking at that because the lad is awesome.

'Ledley King played there against Argentina and it didn't really work out for the lad. He can play that role but there are not many about and Rio is the only one who has the discipline to sit in there and set things up.'

Ferguson was impressed enough by Ferdinand's performance to consider naming him alongside Rooney again on Wednesday when United head to Ewood Park for a Premiership encounter with Blackburn.

'It is possible I could play them in there on Wednesday because they both did very well,' said Ferguson. 'I was forced into the move really because my best selection options were all at the back.

'Darren Fletcher has played a lot of games and needed a break, while Alan Smith has been missing training with an ankle problem and I felt it was a big ask to throw him into a full-blooded FA Cup tie.'

Although Ferguson was anticipating a tough battle against Glenn Hoddle's Championship promotion chasers, Wolves were hardly a threat once Kieran Richardson had put the visitors ahead after four minutes.

Louis Saha killed the contest with his seventh goal in 10 games a minute before the break and when Richardson enhanced his World Cup claims by nodding home his second just after the interval, United were able to coast into the fifth round.

'I am pleased with the result because we were expecting a very difficult game,' said Ferguson.

'We have seen videos of Wolves' last three games and they have been doing well. But we got a dream start, scored at the right times and did well in the end.'

Ferguson, who confirmed Cristiano Ronaldo should be available for the Blackburn game after missing out with a slight injury to the back of his knee, reserved special praise for Richardson, who, with Eriksson in the crowd, could not have picked a better time to secure his first two-goal haul for United.

'Kieran has been doing terrifically well for us,' said Ferguson. 'In fact, in the last two games he has probably been one of our best players. He is only 21 and he is improving all the time.'

The result was a massive disappointment for Hoddle, whose side might have levelled through Carl Cort midway through the first-half, only for the giant striker to nod tamely over from 10 yards.

'The last thing we wanted to do against United was concede an early goal but if we had got to half-time just one goal down, it could have been a real cup-tie,' said Hoddle.

'The second goal was a poor one to concede and killed us off really. Now we have 16 games left to secure our main aim, which is promotion, and at least this has given us an idea of the levels we are trying to reach.'