Two-goal hero Kieran Richardson breathed fresh life into his World Cup claims as Manchester United romped into the FA Cup fifth round at the expense of Wolverhampton Wanderers.

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

He then wrapped up a comfortable triumph with a clinically-taken header early in the second half, while in between, the Greenwich-born wide man showed pace and poise on the ball.

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 the 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.