Manchester United eased into the next round of the FA Cup with a win over Derby
Manchester United were able to answer the critics with a decisive 3-1 victory over Derby in the FA Cup fourth round with goals from Rooney, Blind, and Mata.
Louis van Gaal made a couple of changes to the side that fell to Southampton in the Premier League. With Darmian out due to injury, Guillermo Varela got the start as the right full-back. Juan Mata moved to the no. 10 role in favor of Ander Herrera, as the latter had struggled to make an impact in recent matches. Michael Carrick made his return to the team on the bench alongside Adnan Januzaj, Andreas Pereira, and Memphis as attacking options.
Anthony Martial had the first chance of the game soon after the opening whistle. Marouane Fellaini played a ball across the box to pick out Wayne Rooney, who laid it off for Martial, but the Frenchman sent it over the bar after the pass took a bounce. Manchester United continued to attack, more so than in the match against the Saints.
The pressure eventually led to the opening goal for the away side through a brilliant Rooney strike. Martial found the striker with a pocket of space, where he took a quick touch before curling his strike into the side netting. With the goal, Rooney tied George Best for the record of FA Cup goals for Manchester United at 21. The Red Devils held on to the lead through a key save from David de Gea on a Blackman header. The Derby player got his head on a cross as he out-jumped Varela, sending the Spaniard sprawling to make the save.
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United continued the dominance with two decent chances. The young French attacker had a chance as the result of a quick counterattack, but he took too long to get the shot away and sent it too near the keeper. They also came just short of scoring a spectacular team goal with two separate one-two passes between Martial and Mata and Rooney. The final touch from the left-winger was too heavy, however, and the opportunity only amounted to a goal kick.
Louis van Gaal’s defense conceded in the waning minutes of the first half against the run of play. A flick over the top found Derby’s Thorne beyond the Manchester United back line, with enough time and space to volley past the keeper. Despite the Dutchman’s team’s stranglehold in possession and chances, the two sides entered the break level at a goal apiece.
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Derby began the second half in control of play but were unable to capitalize on their brief superiority. Ince and Butterfield both had chances to give their side the go ahead goal, but Ince couldn’t get a foot on the cross and Daley Blind quickly closed Butterfield down on a clear breakaway opportunity. The home team would go on to rue the missed chances as Manchester United quickly regained their foothold and the match opened up.
Mata just missed a glancing header wide of the post before Blind was able to net a goal in the 65th minute. Jesse Lingard made a darting run at the Derby defense before sending in a cutting pass to the Dutch defender, where he slotted it into the bottom corner giving the Red Devils a goal advantage.
Michael Carrick entered the match to mark his return from injury in relief of Morgan Schneiderlin. Mata also made way for Ander Herrera in the final ten minutes, but not before giving Manchester United a two goal lead. The Spaniard’s defensive pressing in Derby’s own half resulted in a half clearance, after which Martial was able to pick out an unmarked Mata in the box. He calmly finished far post, solidifying the result for United.
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The win should provide a boost for Manchester United heading into the Premier League match against Stoke,as the team played good attacking football throughout.