SIR Alex Ferguson sent coaching pair Carlos Queiroz and Mike Phelan across Manchester to watch Gareth Bale in FA Cup action for Saints this afternoon.
That was despite the Manchester United manager last night claiming that Spurs are now in pole position to land the 17-year-old Wales international.
They were rewarded with a relatively quiet performance, although Bale did produce one moment of magic, forcing a good save out of Nicky Weaver in the final minute of Saints' 3-1 fourth round defeat at the City of Manchester Stadium.
Nevertheless, Saints manager George Burley expects Bale to remain at St Mary's until the end of the season.
And he has clearly not given up hope the full-back will remain a Saints player after the summer as well.
''Gareth will be at our club until the end of the season and hopefully beyond that,'' Burley repeated after today's defeat - Saints' first in competitive action since December 9.
''Enough has been said about him already. He is only 17 and games like today's are only a great experience for him.''
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