Full-strength United have FA Cup in their sights, says Redknapp
Four days after United were dumped out of Europe in Milan and with only a makeshift team at his disposal, Redknapp wandered into St Mary's last night fearing the worst.
It took just 87 seconds for Roy Keane to exert the visitors' superiority and after wincing at the one-sided procession which followed, Redknapp confirmed his belief that Ferguson's team will eventually salvage some silverware from a potentially barren campaign.
"Manchester United have obviously got the FA Cup in their sights, you could tell that by the team they put out," said Redknapp.
"They will take all the beating because they are in such great form. I know Arsenal are a top team but United went to Highbury last month and put four past them and when you consider they have only lost once in the Premiership since the opening day of the season, I think they are the stronger of the two just now."
It is a matter of regret to Ferguson and the Red Devils camp that such strength did not allow them to progress beyond the Champions League first knock-out stage for the second season running.
With seven of the eight quarter-final contenders known, Ferguson admitted to Redknapp in their customary pre-match chat that he expects to see Chelsea chief Jose Mourinho trotting round Istanbul clutching European football's most prestigious trophy.
"Alex is a football nut," said Redknapp, who also shares Ferguson's passion for fine wine and horse racing.
"I spoke to him for about an hour before the game, especially about the Champions League. I think he believes Chelsea might win it."
No matter what twists remain, United's campaign, like old rivals Arsenal's, will already be over when the destination of the European Cup is decided in Turkey on May 25.
Given the open hostility that exists between Old Trafford and Highbury, the prospect of a Millennium Stadium showdown, in either a semi-final or the final itself, with a whole season on the line, is one to generate excitement and fear in equal measure.
It would certainly produce a far more competitive spirit than was in evidence as Southampton crumbled in the face of United's slick attacking play. With Wayne Rooney at the fore, Ferguson's team ripped Saints to shreds.
Cristiano Ronaldo doubled the visitors' lead just before half-time and Paul Scholes netted a second half brace, leaving Redknapp thankful young keeper Paul Smith had enhanced his blossoming reputation by brilliantly turning two Rooney efforts on to the woodwork to stave off even more acute embarrassment.
Meanwhile, a moment of rage from El-Hadji Diouf has cast a cloud over Bolton's prospect of European football - and perhaps even his own long-term future at the club.
Diouf, who has weighed in with seven goals this season, was sent off for lashing out at Arsenal goalkeeper Jens Lehmann after being frustrated at not winning a penalty in the FA Cup quarter-final yesterday.
He will miss three matches, starting with the home game against Norwich on Saturday then the fixtures with Liverpool and Fulham.
Manager Sam Allardyce appears to be running out of patience with Diouf. The 24-year-old Senegal striker has said he would like to remain at the Reebok Stadium once his loan spell from Liverpool finishes at the end of the season.
Bolton, however, believe it will be very difficult to put together a financial package agreeable to all parties.
Freddie Ljungberg got the all-important goal - his 13th of the season - in the third minute.
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger had no doubts at all that Diouf deserved to be dismissed. "It was a sending off - Diouf plays every game on the edge," he said.
"He is always like that. He hit Jens in the face. A few of their players played on the edge for nearly every ball. The atmosphere was not the best. We had to keep calm and we did that well."
Allardyce will now try and push for Europe after claiming he had no interest in becoming Kevin Keegan's successor at Manchester City.
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