A penalty conceded after only 31 seconds proved enough for Manchester United to overcome Liverpool in the FA Cup third round, despite the visitors playing two-thirds of the match with ten men.

Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard was dismissed on 32 minutes for a dangerous airborne lunge in a tussle for possession with United’s Michael Carrick.

And with his departure went any serious hopes Liverpool had of recovering from their first-minute setback, despite the popular re-appearance of former manager Kenny Dalglish in the dug-out.

United’s Dimitar Berbatov won the penalty when he fell under a soft challenge by Daniel Agger, Giggs emphatically drilling home the hotly-disputed spot-kick.

But United struggled to build on this, even after Gerrard’s dismissal, although centre-back Jonny Evans headed a Ryan Giggs corner against the post in first-half stoppage time.

Liverpool came closest to equalising on 64 minutes when Fabio Aurelio’s left-footed, 20-yard free-kick was saved by United keeper Tomas Kuszczak.

But they were grateful to keeper Pepe Reina for a string of saves during a 69^th-minute goalmouth scramble, denying Rafael, Berbatov, Giggs and Patrice Evra.

And former Liverpool hero Michael Owen nearly rubbed salt into Merseyside wounds with a run and narrowly off-target shot on 87 minutes.