ERIC CANTONA and another bizarre refereeing decision left Southampton angry and shattered last night - and Alex Ferguson still on course for an unprecedented second double with Manchester United.
The Frenchman revived United's Premiership dream with the precious winner at Newcastle last week and followed up by putting the favourites within 90 minutes of a third consecutive FA Cup final.
He maintained his record of scoring in every round of the Cup with his 12th goal of the season in the 49th minute to the relief of English football's biggest crowd of the season.
Cheered on by an extra 5,000 in the newly opened second of three tiers in the redeveloped North Stand, Cantona then created Lee Sharpe's last minute tap in which clinched United's 10th successive win and a Villa Park semi final meeting with Chelsea or Wimbledon on March 31st.
But Southampton manager Dave Merrington is convinced referee Steve Dunn disallowed a perfectly legitimate goal for them.
Television replays showed little wrong with Neil Shipperley's 43rd minute header, and Merrington said: "If it had gone in at the other end it may have been given in this atmosphere.
United were helped through the last round with a hotly disputed penalty against Manchester City, and Merrington believes the Old Trafford atmosphere is becoming too intimidating for officials.
"Human nature being what it is, it's a pressure game here. It's a cauldron and they feel the pressure when they come to massive clubs like this. The header went in and it looked like he got a good early jump to get up there. You can harp on and moan but you must live with these things, they are part of the game.
To be fair, Dunn had denied United a clear penalty earlier when Andy Cole was wrestled down by Richard Hall as he tried to spin on a glorious chance in the six yard box.
The relegation strugglers had been let off by Cole's finishing and United's general all round sloppiness as they dominated in the bone chilling rain.
Cole had headed over, then drilled a shot against Dave Beasant, while Ken Monkou had hooked a goalbound shot from the Frenchman around his post as early as the third minute.
But Shipperley's header arrived at the height of their best spell, Peter Schmeichel minutes earlier making a wonderful one handed save from Simon Charlton as Phil Neville writhed in agony in the penalty area after making a crucial interception against Shipperley. And both Neville brothers made goalline clearances as the visitors hit a purple patch.
But as St James's Park had discovered to its heavy cost, you must make chances count against United, and the threat of the first 30 minutes was duly delivered after the break.
Cole sent Giggs arrowing down the left and when the Welshman reached the byline he cut across and skimmed a low ball across the face of goal, eluding every Southampton boot until it fell for a simple tap in for Cantona.
Still Southampton would not lie down, with Schmeichel making his best save from Walters in the 59th minute, deflecting a fierce right foot shot aside as the former England winger cut in from the left.
But United finally broke away in the last minute to kill them off Cantona wriggling in from the right and drawing Beasant before finding Nicky Butt. His close range shot was on its way into the corner before Lee Sharpe applied the final touch on the line.
Meanwhile, United have rearranged their Premiership clash with Arsenal at Old Trafford for March 20th as their interest in the Cup continues. The match had originally been scheduled for semi final weekend, but United win now gives them the chance to establish a big lead over title rivals Newcastle.
Ladbrokes have trimmed Manchester United's Cup odds to 7 to 4 favourites from 2 to 1. Liverpool are 9 to 4 second choice then they bet 5 to 1 Aston Villa and Chelsea.
