Cantona shines in United's late show

Sheffield United0 Manchester United2

However far Manchester United take their defence of the FA Cup, they are unlikely to face such a bold and brave attempt to end it as Sheffield United produced at Bramall Lane last night.

The First Division side, reduced to 10 men after just 14 minutes, dominated the holders during the first half of a pulsating third-round tie, and held them at bay for much of the second.

Their resistance was finally broken with 12 minutes to go when Alan Kelly, their outstanding goalkeeper, was beaten by a Mark Hughes header. Eric Cantona then put a flattering gloss on the scoreline with an exquisite chip from 20 yards. United now host Wrexham in the fourth round.

Cantona was also, as ever, the central figure in the sending off. A challenge between Glyn Hodges and Nicky Butt appeared to be followed by a tap to the ankles by Cantona on Charlie Hartfield. The 23-year-old midfielder turned round and lashed out at Cantona, apparently hitting him with the flat of his hand. Provoked, maybe, but inexcusable nevertheless and Robbie Hart, the referee, instantly dismissed him.

"It was irresponsible and cost us dearly," said Dave Bassett, the Sheffield United manager. "It did not matter whether Eric Cantona or Mickey Mouse kicked him, he should not have reacted. It cost us the game and it will cost him three matches, a week's money, and maybe his place in the team. He will look back on that mad moment for the rest of his life."

With Hodges already booked for dissent and both Steve Bruce and Denis Irwin soon cautioned for fouling Carl Veart, it was feared the game would become a snarling, brutish contest. A year ago to the day, when these teams also met here in the cup, Mark Hughes, having scored the winner, was sent off for kicking David Tuttle. Much recrimination followed and it seemed the bad blood had festered.

But instead the game became a classic cup tie, with the home side playing an impressive passing game not usually associated with Bassett. Perhaps they were given extra inspiration by the provocative sight of the holders wearing their new Sheffield Wednesday-style third kit.

They had worried the champions before the dismissal - Peter Schmeichel making a scrambling double save from Nathan Blake and Hodges - and continued to do so afterwards. They will argue, too, that they should have already been ahead. On 11 minutes Bruce appeared to foul Blake as he shaped to convert Hodges' nod-down, but the referee waved play on.

Two minutes later he waved Hartfield off but the Blades' fire was undimmed. A Kevin Gage cross was headed wide by Blake, Hodges' shot was inadvertently blocked by Dane Whitehouse and Schmeichel saved Hodges' flick.

United, who had not lost to a team from a lower division in 10 years and 48 FA Cup matches, took 19 minutes to raise a shot, Brian McClair at last testing Kelly. But as the half wore on they looked increasingly dangerous with Hughes first heading a Ryan Giggs cross just wide, then putting another against the post.

The pace was unrelenting and, given the windy conditions - which thoroughly unnerved the precariously perched radio and televsion commentators - the match was a triumph of the British footballer's much criticised technique.

Inevitably the extra man told as the game wore on. This was despite several Manchester players suffering from the flu epidemic that forced United to bring Schmeichel back prematurely from injury and play rookie John O'Kane at right-back. The second half was almost uninterrupted Manchester attacks. Many were blunted by excellent tackling or denied by outstanding goalkeeping but there were some bad misses, too.

Eventually Giggs floated a cross from the left and Hughes headed in. Three minutes later, with the home side committed to attack, Giggs broke and fed Cantona for the second. Sheffield were spared the indignity of a third, Kelly saving from Giggs after hehad dribbled clear.

Manchester United have only lost twice in the FA Cup this decade but once was here two years ago. Alex Ferguson, their manager, said: "If we had lost an early goal, it would have been a real backs-to-the-wall job."

Sheffield United (4-4-2): Kelly; Gage, Gayle, Nilsen, Scott; Rogers, Hartfield, Hodges (Starbuck, 75), Whitehouse (Flo, 86); Veart, Blake. Substitute not used: Mercer (gk).

Manchester United (4-4-2): Schmeichel; O'Kane (Sharpe, 54), Bruce, Pallister, Irwin; Butt, Keane, McClair, Giggs; Cantona, Hughes. Substitutes not used: Scholes, Pilkington (gk).

Referee: R Hart (Darlington).