2018 FA Cup Final - Manchester United 0-1 Chelsea

Manchester United 0-1 Chelsea (Hazard 22 pen)

 

United slipped meekly to defeat in the Cup Final, going out while barely landing a punch on an unspectacular Chelsea team on a spirit-sapping day at Wembley. It was grim, and a bit boring. So much attacking talent, so little threat and bite. A frustrating season ending in a quite fitting way. Too slow, too scared, and second best. Shit.

What’s there to say when we lose like that? It wasn’t a 4-0 romp, we had been defeated only by a penalty from Eden Hazard, and the possession and shots statistics were in our favour. But don’t let the numbers fool you into thinking United were at all impressive out there. It was robotic, stunted, and downright dull. They looked out of ideas too early and energetic too late, a sad end to the season given the optimism with which it had begun. 

United were the favourites going into the last domestic fixture of the season, having finished 3 places above Chelsea in the table. I was very nervous at the start, but then I always am in occasions such as these. Post-Ferugson, it’s no longer a given that United will always be making finals and consistently playing at Wembley, so there is no way I’m turning my nose up at any cup, especially when we’re in the final. Having been at Wembley myself last month to see us dispatch an in-form Spurs, I was quietly confident we could do the same to Chelsea.

The good news for United was that Martial and Lukaku hadn’t been ruled out as had been feared, and were available. The bad news was that neither started – although Martial probably would not have anyway, even if he was 100% fit. Fellaini missed out as well. It was a blow for United to be missing their main goalscorer, as much for his hold up play and bullying of centre-halves as anything else. With Chelsea, a physical game was expected, so to line up instead with Rashford was a bit of weakness.

Not that I thought so before kick-off. While Lukaku starting on the bench was not perfect, I was excited to see young Rash run at Chelsea’s backline. I remembered how he had led the line brilliantly against Chelsea in our 2-0 home win in April 2017, springing Conte’s offside trap regularly. On paper, a front three of Jesse Lingard, Rashford and Alexis Sanchez looked dynamic, pacey and fluid. So apart from Lukaku it was the same team that beat Spurs in the semi – which meant Eric Bailly, who most think is our best defender, was left on the bench. Smalling and Jones had credit in the bank, sure, but the treatment of Bailly by Mourinho in recent weeks has been utterly baffling.

Chelsea went defensive, going with only two forward thinking players really, with Fabregas used mainly to retain possession. Bakayoko has been one of the worst signings across Europe for the 17/18 season, but Antonio Conte placed faith in the Frenchman to make sure his team didn’t get outnumbered In the middle of the park, resisting the temptation to pick Pedro or Willian. Having scored in the semi over Southampton, January purchase Olivier Giroud was preferred over record signing Alvaro Morata.

Chelsea started the better, with Hazard finding space on the left flank on the counter after United had given the ball away carelessly, and shooting at goal with his left foot after running at Jones. De Gea made a smart stop, and United cleared, but that was pretty much that for the opening exchanges. It was a typical final start to be honest, with both sides wanting to ease themselves into the game, and very little in the way of shots on goal. The cagey start didn’t stop both sides gifting the other possession constantly with sloppy errant passes. For the Cup final, it was a game desperately low on quality. It needed a goal really.

It soon got one. Chelsea won the ball back in their half and Fabregas had time to set Hazard away with a long pass; his first touch was exemplary and suddenly Phil Jones was on the back foot. The England world cup defender just about kept pace with Hazard but was unable to get goalside, and decided to go for a last-ditch tackle. I couldn’t really blame him, but the execution was clumsy and it was penalty and a yellow card. From the spot there’s few who are calmer than Hazard and the Belgian duly rolled the ball into the net, sending De Gea the other way.

United initially reacted like I’d want. Herrera pushed up from his ersatz right-back position (to nullify Hazard, and make it easier for him to be man-marked, which had already proven flawed when Chelsea’s star man moved to the right to create the goal) and United created a chance for Pogba from 25 yards, who shot wide. It was the first effort from United to test Chelsea’s defence and keeper.

 


There was very little width for United. Chelsea were extraordinarily compact

Why were United so lacking in attacking vigour? Well, for starters Rashford was having a stinker. The ball was bouncing off him, he was picking the wrong passes, and he was getting outmuscled. Worst of all he wasn’t making the runs in behind that could’ve been so dangerous; instead he came deep, or ran the channels. This often led to the absurd situation where United had the ball in a crossing position but the only man in the box was Sanchez, a man never likely to win a battle in the air with 3 centre-backs. That’s if we had anyone in the box at all, sometimes they had no one to mark and United were simply trying pot-shots from long range.

It didn’t help that Lingard was having a poor start as well, as he wasn’t either wide or forward enough to impact the game like he should. With Sanchez drifting infield as well, width was like gold dust for United. Ashley Young was enterprising enough, happy to take defenders on, but is always hamstrung by his general lack of quality – a problem for Chelsea also, regarding Victor Moses. We were ponderous, too, recycling the ball 30 yards from goal, always taking too many touches, waiting for someone to try a mazy run or an ambitious through ball which seldom happened.

The first half ended just as United’s best moment had come, as someone did indeed perform a mazy run. Pogba motored with the ball through the centre and played a one-two with Sanchez before laying it off to Rashford, who only contrived to scuff his attempted shot straight at a Chelsea defender.

At half-time the overriding feeling was that this was an awful match. There had only been two real chances – the penalty, and the other aforementioned Hazard shot. As good as the Belgian and Fabregas had been, it wasn’t enough to escape the reality that it was an utterly dreadful game, the opposite of what you would want in the showpiece of English football. It had also gone against the theme of recent Cup finals, which have generally been entertaining; look no further than United’s incident-packed triumph over Crystal Palace in 2016 for proof.

Mourinho had obviously got into them at half-time as United started the second half with great intensity, determined to get back on terms. From minute 45-65, United had a great spell, pinning Chelsea back and looking like they were going to score eventually. Of course, Chelsea could afford to sit deep having gone in front so early, and it suited the personnel they had out there. Their attacks in the second half were exclusively counters, with long passes looking for the incisive movement of Hazard.

Valencia, who had been unbelievably ineffective in the first half despite having heaps of the ball, finally made a forward run inside Marcos Alonso picked out by Herrera, also making his first risky pass. We were in behind, but instead of Valencia going for goal or picking out Sanchez he pulled it back straight to Fabregas. Stupid prick. Sanchez instantly won it back with a tigerish sliding tackle and the ball broke for Rashford 20 yards out, who forced a save from Courtois with his powerful but a bit too central strike. The crowd were up for it now and Kante and Rudiger both made vital interceptions just as United were breaking through.

United won a lot of set-pieces in this period, with Chelsea under pressure and looking to break the rhythm of United with fouls. Unfortunately most of them were taken by Rashford, who booted it straight at the first man most of the time. It was mind-numbing to see him on those duties when he was having such a poor day at sending them in, not even considering that as a forward over 6 feet, you would probably want him in the box anyway. Mind you, he did pull out one top delivery from the right when his free-kick was converted by Sanchez on the follow up, although he was offside. Still, United were pushing, with Young starting to play very high up the pitch. Matic had a 30 yarder parried by the rock-solid Courtois.

But United gradually fizzled out, the zip fading from our passing, the lack of pace in our play telling. It was the Blues that had the next big chance with Kante skipping through the tackles to set up Alonso who was denied by De Gea, before Moses hit the ball at Young’s arm in the area. Really, it was too close for the ref to give another penalty.

Out of nowhere came an opportunity for Rashford after a training ground move, with Pogba finding Lingard in his favourite pocket. He let the ball run before slipping in his best mate one-on-one. It was by no means the easiest of chances with a massive keeper coming out and Rashford having to stretch a bit, but it had to go in. Lukaku, I suspect, would’ve found the net with it. Instead, Courtois saved and Mourinho responded by hooking Rashford and Lingard. Taking off Jesse was a tad puzzling in my opinion, just as the number 14 was getting into the game.

So Lukaku and Martial (left out of the French World Cup squad in midweek, prompting more rumours of his exit) were on. I was screaming for Mata as well for Herrera, who seemed to not be aware we were losing, given the fact he wasn’t moving forward with the ball and was still playing the safest passes he could. There are times when Herrera just isn’t needed and today was one of them. His main job was to stop Hazard, who had put us behind - although the Spaniard couldn’t be blamed for the goal which wasn’t in his area. But then, what was he on for now? If Mata had been given more time, he could’ve found a key pass to unlock the door. Instead Herrera finished the game, one of his least memorable in a red shirt. He wasn’t being helped by his captain Valencia though, who was constantly turning back into midfield when he had the chance to get to the by-line.

By now Conte had instructed his team to give up on attacking, and you couldn’t blame them. The only threat was Phil Jones getting injured after a robust challenge by Giroud required him to put on a head bandage, the only thing the dreamy Frenchman did all game. It was all United, but it was all in front of the defence. We weren’t isolating their players or giving them different things to think about. We became increasingly route one, but Cahill and Rudiger were having a comfortable time of it.

The biggest chance fell to Paul Pogba, who screwed a free header wide from a Martial corner. That was the moment really, the only time the Chelsea team switched off. The £89m man had the freedom of Wembley, he had to do better, to at least get it on target. Alas, it wasn’t to be. Chelsea controlled the last 10 minutes, wasting time expertly with their subs taking decades to complete. Martial after a decent run had a little opening, but he found row J. Late sub Mata, of all people, conceded two corners in the dying minutes as the Chelsea supporters loudly cheered every single throw in and corner won, delighting in their players forcing United back, further and further away from a goal that would take it to extra time.



Chelsea celebrate with the famous old trophy

 

The whistle went and Conte was jubilant. For all that this season has been a failure for the Blues (not enough has been said about the reigning champions spending north of £200m,  finishing 5^th and 23 points worse than last season) their manager deserved this moment I think, given the turmoil he’s been faced with off the field. It was his first domestic cup as a manager. Even at their worst, Chelsea seem to be able to churn out trophies, exemplified by Cahill lifting the cup after a difficult season for him personally. Although United in mitigation could say De Gea had nothing to do, Chelsea could respond by saying they never really looked in trouble.

Like it or not, it’s likely if Fellaini had been available for the last 20 minutes we could’ve nicked an equaliser. Chelsea were very comfortable in the air against United, as a half-fit Lukaku couldn’t impose himself as usual against their big defenders. If the big man had been there, Chelsea would’ve been forced to mark him, perhaps even assigning two on him, in turn creating space for others. In the 93^rd minute Matic tamely headed over; if that had been Fellaini it could’ve been different. Though the very idea that United missed Fellaini out there suggests how shocking they were.

While Valencia is hardly the biggest problem at United, in football today the full-backs are so important, and indeed no one got the ball more for United in threatening positions than him and Young. I really don’t want to watch a lot more of him receiving the ball, doing that little leg shuffle, then passing backwards. The captain for the day was really pathetic, seemingly unable to dribble anymore, offering nothing. Young was giving it his all, offering his teammates an option, but as I’ve already said, he just isn’t that good, willing but unable to change the game.

Sanchez has played 18 times for United since he arrived, and has scored a grand total of 3 goals, one of which was a penalty rebound. It is not reactionary to say he has been downright crap for us given his handsome wages. The man has an awesome record at Wembley – I saw it for myself in the semi-final, when he was excellent – but he did fuck all in the final, like in a lot of games he has played so far for us. Spurs and City away apart, he has not been the player we all expected him to be, or saw at Arsenal. In the summer, he will have his first extended break from football since 2013. Let’s hope he comes back refreshed, because more of this will be hard to accept from such a talented player.

It’s not just Sanchez. Pogba as well was disappointing. He was decent, don’t get me wrong, helping us progress forward and running hard all afternoon. But where was an imposing display from our best player in what turned out to be the biggest game of the season? Where was the Lingard from the winter? But most all, where was the master of finals, the serial winner that is Jose Mourinho? He had his own tactics based on organisation and concentration used against him by a man who he had a spat with earlier on in the campaign. I hope it hurt him, as ending the season trophyless should hurt all of them, even though there are clear signs of progress from last season.

For us not to score against a team playing like *that* is slightly embarrassing. It’s one thing playing on the counter but there were essentially only two attacking players in their line-up. They were sharp in the first half, decisive in the penalty incident, and to be fair, retained their focus and concentration against the almost constant United possession in the 2^nd half. They did deserve their eighth FA Cup, even if for the neutral it was like watching paint dry.

It’s been a good season, generally, but it has definitely been tarnished by this schoolboy performance. Thankfully the world cup arrives to stop us from licking our wounds all summer.

United (4-3-3) De Gea 6.5; Valencia 5.5, Smalling 6, Jones 5 (Mata 87), Young 6; Herrera 4.5, Matic 5.5, Pogba 6; Lingard 5 (Martial 73, 4), Rashford 3.5 (Lukaku 73, 5), Sanchez 5.

Chelsea (5-3-2) Courtois 7.5; Moses 6, Azpilicueta 6, Cahill 7, Rudiger 7, Alonso 5.5; Fabregas 6.5, Kante 7, Bakayoko 5; Giroud 4.5 (Morata 89), Hazard 7 (Willian 90+1).

Manchester United 2-0 Brighton FA Cup 6th Round

Manchester United 2-0 Brighton (Lukaku 37, Matic 83)

 

The fixture after the midweek before. The aftermath of the Sevilla defeat lasted right up until kick-off here, with the manager pre-match press conference an extraordinary example of the fight that Jose Mourinho has always been known for. As United’s season was punctured on Tuesday the boss was already looking for the distraction, an angle of excuses.

It was something, even so. An impassioned 12 minute defence of his record in the Champions League, and a football history lesson of United’s substandard performances post-Ferguson. The Portuguese reeled off United’s league positions, and compared them with City, to show how difficult it was and is for him to bridge the gap. He then listed European results after 2011, bluntly saying “this is football heritage” after every point. It might well be useful to mention Sevilla’s excellent European record, but this weekend they lost to Leganes. The Spanish minnows must have some heritage they’re hiding in their tiny ground, eh Jose?

Not that my rather pithy last sentence detracts from the good feeling I got from watching Mourinho hammer home his point that United are shit and he is desperate to turn us around. Because he was spot on. United have been poor, especially in Europe. That doesn’t explain a loss to Sevilla, a result that will hang over the club for a good few months, but perhaps should help explain why the reaction is not immediately to get rid of Mourinho.

You might’ve forgotten there was also an FA Cup Quarter-Final to win. The game was ugly, with very little to write home about. Thankfully for the manager, two of his most trusted lieutenants – Romelu Lukaku and Nemanja Matic – scored to send us to Wembley.

Lukaku, fast becoming a leader in this team, hit his 25^th of the season from a Matic cross, and then followed numerous Brighton chances against pedestrian passing of the home side. The toothless nature of the South Coast attack, combined with the commanding display of cup keeper Romero meant that United were never really in trouble, but it wasn’t in the slightest the sort of response the faithful would’ve wanted after Sevilla. Only when the second goal was scored did we look comfortable, when Matic nodded in a quality free-kick from Ashley Young.

Young? Ah yes. For the utility man had come on at half time for Luke Shaw, who was yet again publicly slammed by his manager afterwards for a dreadful performance. Shaw hadn’t been great, but I certainly wouldn’t have hooked him at half-time. The England left-back is definitely too fond of a pizza or three but has it actually had an impact on his football? Is Shaw being bullied by a bitter coach? Shaw’s United career seems at an end, whatever the real truth.

Pogba and for the first time Sanchez were left on the bench, but it barely got a mention afterwards as post-match quotes again took centre stage. It wasn’t just Shaw, almost every player received criticism, and some might say it was just deserts for underperforming players.  Mourinho questioned whether we were scared to play, although Matic was described as “an island of personality” in terms of his mentality compared to some others.

There was encouragement in the stands at least for a singing section experiment that was a big success. The traditional area of the away fans was instead populated by some of the most boisterous members of the Red Army, with the Brighton fans shoved into Tier 2 of the East Stand. The result was a massive boost to the atmosphere inside Old Trafford, as the acoustics in that part of the ground where the East and South stands meet are so much better and conducive for signing than other areas. Unlike the current signing section, no one was forced out of an area of the ground. The club, J Stand operatives and hardworking Reds deserve immense credit for bringing together so many like-minded vocal United fans at such short notice. Now it’s up to the club to make it permanent.

Seldom has the international break come at a better time for the Reds. An opportunity to rest, take stock, and regroup ahead of the run-in. Another cup semi at Wembley to look forward to. It isn’t all doom and gloom.

United (4-2-3-1) Romero 7.5; Valencia 7, Bailly 5.5, Smalling 6, Shaw 5 (Young 46, 7); McTominay 6.5, Matic 8; Mata 6 (Rashford 75, 5), Lingard 5.5 (Fellaini 89), Martial 5.5; Lukaku 7.5.

Huddersfield 0-2 Manchester United FA Cup 5th Round

Huddersfield 0-2 Manchester United (Lukaku 3, 55)

Don’t mention the VAR. United strolled in to the quarters of the FA Cup by brushing aside Huddersfield thanks to two quality goals from Romelu Lukaku, although little attention was given to this fact afterwards, as the media spun themselves into bother over Pogba, Jose, and VAR. Oh My.

Big changes, six of them, were made from the Newcastle loss. De Gea and Valencia were rested; Jones, Martial and Lingard, dropped. Oh, and Paul Pogba. There was something wonderfully ironic about United lining up without Pogba in the squad. Just a day before, Mourinho had used his press conference to dismiss the suggestions that he had any problems with his star man as “lies”. Instead, United had three in midfield that did not inspire confidence, what with Scott McTominay and Michael Carrick being at opposite ends of the age scale, and Nemanja Matic looking increasingly drawn as the season goes on. The excuse was that Pogba was ill on the day of the game, and that did seem plausible given young Ethan Hamilton from the youth team appeared as one of the subs out of nowhere as a last minute replacement. I’m sure a few giggles were had about the fact United had finally switched to a midfield trio and then left out the man it was meant to accommodate. With a trip to Sevilla on Wednesday, Pogba’s absence left more questions than answers.

As did the awful system of the video assistant referee (VAR). This might sound like sour grapes, given that it was my team who had a goal chalked off, especially galling as it was lovely-looking, well-mannered, charity-founding, sensitive-lover Juan Mata that was kept off the scoresheet. But just look at the wait, the energy being sucked from the crowd during the delay, the confusion amongst the players… and for what - the sake of millimetres? True, Mata’s kneecap was offside. But if it had been allowed to stand, would there have been any complaint, given how tight the margin was? Pundits were still claiming it was onside, albeit wrongly, hours after the event. I think that the thing I dislike most about VAR is it is clearly an initiative for the fans watching on TV, and not the match attendees, i.e. the only people that actually matter. The FA and the Premier League must ask themselves whether an extra ~5% of accuracy on offsides is worth yet another reduction in the matchday experience for the humble fan. Don’t get me started on using it for penalties, or red cards – infringements that inherently come down to an individual ref’s interpretation of the law! There have been infamous dives or red card decisions that are still debated years later, how can VAR help there? At least the Huddersfield boss David Wagner agrees with me. “Yes, the decision went in our favour but this VAR for me kills the emotion of the game. This is why I don’t like it – but I am not the person who makes the decision”. Well, in my opinion, VAR belongs in the bin with XG. Kick nerds out of football.

Anyway… United bounced back quickly from the Newcastle defeat, and with 2 minutes and 36 seconds on the clock, they were leading, courtesy of Lukaku. It was a lovely goal, he had held it up in the first place, before laying off to Mata and running in behind. The Spaniard’s through ball found our big Belgian, who cut inside onto his right foot before sliding it past Lossl. It demonstrated all his attributes – the holdup play, the pace, the power, and the supreme finishing. Terrific centre forward play. The home side responded, with Tom Ince steering an effort wide on the turn after springing an awful offside trap. Despite having such an early advantage, United struggled in the opening 15 minutes, unable to string three passes together, and giving it away for fun. We were losing the midfield battle, with Matic out of sorts, McTominay showing a lack of quality and Carrick more tortoise than hare.

At least the United fans were in great voice, using their big FA Cup allocation to its fullest. ‘It’s Carrick, y’know’ was getting a hearty airing in celebration at the club captain actually starting a game of football. Maybe they were trying to distract from the dreck on show in Yorkshire, with United very defensive, and conceding territory by sitting deep. We were looking more like a bunch of individuals than a team, with a real lack of intensity. Still, at least the home side were shite, completely incapable of punishing us. Their only threat in Mounier was being bested in a few battles in an entertaining war with Chris Smalling in the air. It was noteworthy that Smalling was attacking everything, perhaps determined to prove a point after his shambles of a performance at Newcastle. Matic however had a shocking first half, not knowing what to do with the ball at his feet, and looking quite weak. It is to his credit that he emerged after the break improved, finding his feet and passing confidently.

The VAR incident happened on the stroke of half-time, with Young making an enterprising run at right-back then slipping the ball inside, where Mata went round the keeper and tapped in for our second goal. Or so we thought, for as Mata wheeled away in celebration, the ref signalled he was listening to his mates watching a screen fucking miles away. Farcically, BT Sport were fed incorrect images featuring swiggly lines that weren’t parallel to the 18 yard box to judge an offside. Not a good look at all for VAR, although that wasn’t how the decision was actually made, thank Christ. The goal was overturn and the United fans were aghast – but I’ve said my piece on this incoherent system, we still had a match to win.

Just before the whistle, Matic finished a free-kick but this goal was disallowed –normally this time! – For a big offside, but it gave United momentum in the second period. There was an increased aggression, and United were rewarded with a second goal right out of the top-drawer. From our own corner, the ball was cleared to Lukaku. He played a superbly timed one-two with Alexis, before running through and converting nicely. 21 for the season now for Red Rom, who consistently makes the difference for us against the lower teams. If he can crack it against the cream of the crop we would have one hell of a centre-forward on our hands. As for our big January buy and new number seven, he is clearly taking time to get used to his teammates, but even at his lowest he can provide these moments of flair.

Mata, Alexis and United in general were purring now, always on the break, pushing the home team back, looking for a third goal to kill them. It didn’t come, partly as the last 10 minutes were played out sensibly rather than explosively, partly as often the final ball was erratic, despite the real threat posed by Mata’s passing and intelligence. Nevertheless it didn’t bother those United fans who were in top form. A week after yet another brace against PSG at the very apex (the CL latter stages) of the game, Cristiano Ronaldo got serenaded, which warmed my cold heart. ‘Viva Ronaldo’ and ‘He plays on the left’ were sung with gusto, before the traditional ‘Que Sera, Sera…’ was belted out as United reached the Quarters of the Cup for the fourth year in succession. And that’s no mean record.

Afterwards Mourinho lavished more praise on McTominay, who is starting to appear like his personal project. (Or perhaps, one might harshly argue, an exaggerated sham perpetrated solely to prove that despite his reputation he can play young players from the academy and does care about the growth of kids.) He said the new Scottish manager Alex McLeish should come straight to him to get him tied down to Scotland, internationally. Also, this: “I think Scott deserves more than what he is getting. Maybe it’s because he’s this kind of kid profile: a normal haircut, no tattoos, no big cars, no big watches, humble kid, arrive in the club when he was nine or 10”. No prizes for guessing who that *may* refer to. Still, how great for the kid to be the recipient of so much approval. There were kind words for Eric Bailly and his welcome return as well, coming on in the dying embers of the match for his first appearance since the loss at Stamford Bridge on the 5^th of November.

There was a neat postscript as to our potential cup opponents as well. For not only were Tottenham taken to a replay by League Two Rochdale after a stoppage-time equaliser, but deliciously, the Greatest Team Ever Seen in English Football were humbled again, 1-0 by Wigan Athletic. Now that they’re in the third tier, it probably was a far bigger one off result than the 2013 cup final shock or the following year giant-killing of Pellegrini’s team at the Ethiad. And old Pep doesn’t take kindly to losing, oh no. The precious cunt completely lost his head, engaging in a pretty childish scrap with his Wigan counterpart at half-time after Delph was sent off. At the final whistle, the Berties decided to throw advertising hoardings at policeman. Despite their lottery win, they will always be poor little bitter city.

Onwards to Sevilla, and the competition Mourinho previously defined himself by. After City and Liverpool smashed Basel and Porto respectively, and Spurs got a very creditable 2-2 at Juventus, the pressure is on us to perform as well. Time to deliver.

United (4-1-4-1) Romero 7; Young 6.5, Smalling 7.5, Lindelof 6, Shaw 6.5; Carrick 6; Mata 7.5 (Lingard 81), McTominay 6, Matic 6, Sanchez 6.5 (Martial 75, 6); Lukaku 8 (Bailly 90+3).

Yeovil 0-4 Manchester United FA Cup 4th Round

Yeovil 0-4 Manchester United (Rashford 41, Herrera 61, Lingard 89, Lukaku 90+3)

Some debuts live long in the memory, like Rooney’s vs Fenerbahce, or Ronaldo’s vs Bolton. Other debuts barely ever register even to those who were there. Whatever he does in his Old Trafford career, there won’t be many people who will turn to the side and wistfully reminisce about Alexis Sanchez’s bow at Huish Park, of all places. Yeovil fought hard on their evening in the sun, with the match live on the BBC on Friday night, complete with Arsenal alumnus Martin Keown sniping at our new number 7 at every possible moment. But United were business-like, professional and progressed quite comfortably into the 5^th Round of the Cup, without ever utterly dominating Yeovil. 
That was noteworthy as Yeovil sat 21^st in League Two at kick-off, the lowest ranked team remaining in the draw, but the much anticipated giant-killing was never likely, even though the Red Devils had a nervy first 20 minutes on a cabbage patch of a pitch that looked more suited to a primary school field than a stage befitting Sanchez.

The new buy was obviously the star attraction, his name and picture splattered everywhere, be it the match programme, the newspapers, and the TV trailers. Even United’s own propaganda machine seemed to forget there were 10 other players momentarily. But then, if you weren’t an ABU weirdo, you knew what the result was going to be; it was only natural the ex-Arsenal winger was granted the column inches. What were they going to write about – Yeovil? The Somerset team were pretty much ignored in the build-up, not that they minded much with the TV pounds flowing through the clubs’ coffers. It was three years ago that United had been here in the 3^rd round, with Herrera scoring that great instinctive goal on the turn. The Basque midfielder must surely put Yeovil just behind Zaragoza in his list of favourite clubs.

Yeovil started brightly, pressing a nervous looking United, who had made 10 changes from the win over Burnley with only Juan Mata keeping his place. (The most important players - Pogba, Jones, De Gea, Valencia and MARTIAL (!!!!) - were left at home.) Gradually though the team from the higher division found their feet and got the passing game flowing. Sanchez, stationed on the left but always looking to roam, seemed desperate to impress and whenever he got possession he showed off that burst of acceleration that has left defenders behind all over the world for the best part of a decade. I’m well aware it was only bloody Yeovil, but there was something about the way the tempo rose when the ball fell to him that was reminiscent of early Ronaldo. He also attempted audacious switches of play and through balls looking for the centre-forward Rashford, but most were over-hit and drifted out of play, leading to mocking cheers from the home crowd. Ah, yes. Our new man was booed throughout, getting a bit of the Sterling treatment. I do think if you asked the Yeovil fans (the ones who only swelled the crowd to see United, not the regulars) afterwards why they were giving him such a hostile reception they wouldn’t have a fucking clue, with a 52-year-old bloke probably muttering something about Sanchez being a ‘mercenary’. Never mind, they won’t see another game for a couple of years – at least until the next big home cup tie.

Still, at least he was trying things, as it couldn’t be avoided that a very expensive United team were being, shall we say, thoughtful in their passing. That’s a euphemism for slow and dull, by the way. It took until the deadlock was broken to assert our dominance but the goal itself was lucky, with Rashford’s poor touch from Sanchez’s ball falling to a defender, who then contrived to allow the Mancunian kid to steal in and tuck away the opener after beckoning his keeper to come and clear the ball when it was clear he had no intention of doing so. Forget League Two, this was barely Essex Combined Counties Division Four (West) level defending. How can you have such a lack of communication? The away end didn’t care, breathing a sigh of relief knowing the game was already done. I would suggest Rashford, going through a rotten run of form for the first time in his precocious career, didn’t mind how scrappy his goal was either.

For all the shouting, it pretty much was. Sure, Darmian, making his first appearance since the humbling at Bristol City, contrived to make some League Two cloggers look good with his flat fucking feet. Moreover, a couple of agricultural reducers challenges were put in on Alexis to the smug glee of Keown. But it was easy street for us, with the home crowd now quiet unless Sanchez had the ball, spending their time taking photos of the players they were abusing a few minutes before. The United fans created the atmosphere, with special attention given to Michael Carrick and the ‘hard to believe it’s not Scholes’ chant in celebration of the return of the club captain. After a heart scare, the lanky Geordie was back, calming the midfield down, admittedly against the gentlest of opponents. But no matter, for it was his first outing since Burton Albion in the Carabao Cup in September, and it was just nice to see him come through unscathed.

The game still needed a second goal though, and it duly came from a slick counter from our own corner. The ball was cleared to Mata who expertly controlled before waiting for Sanchez to carry the ball forward. Rashford made the decoy run, and the Chile superstar made the right decision to pick out Herrera, who controlled before converting with his left foot. Cue an arms-pumping celebration from another player who will take confidence from a goal after a hard time of his own recently.

Our new signing had showed off his footwork and dribbling skills but he had tired. (only natural after not starting recent Arsenal games with the move imminent) A bit more zest was needed and Mourinho, on his 55^th birthday, sent on Lingard and Lukaku after a couple of chances were spurned. There was a wait for the next goal, but it was worth it, for it was yet another sublime individual goal from Lingard, his 12^th of the season. How can you not love this guy, academy graduate and all, when he runs into the crowd after a scoring the third against Yeovil. No meaningless games for this lad. His determination to make an impact would not have gone unnoticed back on the dugout, with Mourinho likely to be deciding between Lingard and Mata to make way for Sanchez. After this run and finish from the Warrington wizard, the Spanish blogger surely sits on the bench at Wembley against Spurs in midweek.

The fourth goal came almost straight away with Herrera spotting the run of Marcos Rojo, of all people, in the inside left channel and the Argentine’s cross was volleyed smartly into the roof of the net by Lukaku for yet another goal. But far more pleasing was the little run from Angel Gomes, who had come on for fellow academy kid Rashford for only his second United appearance. The u17 World Cup winner received the ball on the left and beat the defender Ribery-style only to hit the side netting. It was only a glimpse, but the confidence he plays with at such a young age is so promising. Although, he’s still a few meat and potato dinners away from taking a place in a premier league side.  

Yeovil deserve credit but our 6^th successive clean sheet was always going to happen, and United march on once more. Carrick, Gomes, the goal-scorers, and Mourinho’s new contract which was signed on Thursday – there was a lot to be content with, even without mentioning the first Chilean to play for Manchester United. But let’s finish with him anyway. It wasn’t Rooney vs Fener. It wasn’t even Hernandez in the Community Shield. But Alexis Sanchez is a Red.

United (4-3-3) Romero 7; Darmian 5.5, Lindelof 6.5, Rojo 7, Shaw 6.5; Herrera 7, Carrick 6.5, McTominay 6; Mata 6.5 (Lukaku 65, 7), Rashford 6 (Gomes 88), Sanchez 7.5 (Lingard 72, 7.5).

Manchester United 2-0 Derby County Fa Cup 3rd Round

Manchester United 2-0 Derby (Lingard 84, Lukaku 90)

United were almost held to a replay by a determined effort from the Championship team and their keeper Scott Carson, but in the end, Jesse Lingard ensured the progression of the 12 times winners after yet another worldie. Lingard's brilliant 25-yard late opener was swiftly followed by a Lukaku goal after great work from Martial, making the final score look pretty comfortable, yet for much of this Friday evening the Old Trafford crowd were anxious that the win would not be forthcoming.

I didn't actually watch this game.* Neither did anyone else who wasn't at the ground (at least, not legally) as the BBC had put the Merseyside derby on instead, although United's kick-off time still had to move due to city being drawn at home as well. So the longstanding run of televised cup ties was at an end, but the idea that United didn't give a crap about the cup was quashed straight away when Mourinho picked a very strong XI, with only 5 changes from the Everton win. The keepers were rotated, Smalling and Blind came in at the back, and Marcus Rashford and Mkhitaryan replaced Martial and the rested Matic. A very healthy crowd of over 73,000, helped by almost 10,000 from the East Midlands, was further evidence that the club cared deeply about this competition. Just don't mention 1999/2000.

The game itself was essentially just an attack vs defence training exercise. Gary Rowett's team had very little ambition - although this isn't a criticism, just an observation on the realities of the match. Although the Rams are pushing for promotion (again), the sense that they would be content with a replay and money in the bank was palpable. They only ever attacked on the break, with ex-red Tom Lawrence showing his ball carrying ability. Nonetheless, it was a quiet evening for Sergio Romero, as it was Derby's organisation and structure that was worthy of praise rather than any offensive flair.

Rashford, out of form and going through his first real tough time, looked sharp and keen from the off. His pace was too much for the opponents and he was constantly asking questions of the defence. Trouble was, he never looked like making the net bulge. Instead he blazed over and wide, or found himself stopped by Carson, a bad touch, or the woodwork (twice). The focus of the anger on Twitter afterwards for his misses and perceived selfishness, Marcus would do well to ask himself the question of how many 19 or 20 year olds earn the trust of Mourinho. The kid is special, and never hid or let the misses effect him. He's played non stop since his debut for club and country, and my theory is he's tired. The lad just needs to be taken out of the firing line for a bit, and tune out from all the reactionary shit.

Having said all that, his miss in the first half from a Mkhitaryan cross (the only thing the out of sorts Armenian did before being hooked at the break, an act Mourinho apologised for in his presser, but one that hardly reflected well on the midfielder given he said Rashford was never going to score in the same conference) was a cast-iron sitter; he just had to nod it in from 5 yards, but managed to hit the post. He was hardly alone in his profligacy though, with Mata amongst the others also unable to find the onion bag. Both the Spaniard and Pogba went close with free-kicks, but Scott Carson was in inspired form.

More than a decade has passed since his error against Niko Kranjcar and Croatia, but you get the sense that he never truly recovered. Haunted by the spectre of that national humiliation that really that fake Dutch twat Steve Mclaren should take the blame for, his career has drifted after West Brom, but there was a flash of the old Carson here, showing off the athleticism and reflexes that interested Liverpool when he was barely out of his teens.

Tony Marshall's loving Jesse's form as much as the rest of us

As the game wore on, Derby grew in confidence, venturing out of defence more often. Mourinho had brought on Lukaku and Martial to try and force an opening, but it just made the Stretford End feel nauseous at the thought of a late sucker punch. Those fears seemed to be alleviated when Herrera and Lingard helped to play in Rashford, but the young tyro shot against the post with Carson finally beaten.

When Pogba dragged an effort wide after Lingard was denied by the keeper, it had the feeling of 'one of those nights', but United kept on trying, and Lukaku tapped back Martial's forward pass to Lingard, who rifled it in the top corner before any Derby defenders could blink. Terrific. That made it 8 goals in his last 10 appearances now for the Warrington Wizard, and the crowd (well, most of them) breathed a sigh of relief. Lukaku finished off a one-two with Martial, and the Reds celebrated hard as the win, and no replay, meant they were off to Dubai for a bit of warm-weather training. Well, that's the belated silver lining to the Bristol City loss then.

The attention afterwards, with a hat tip in the direction of Derby and Rowett of course, was very much focused on our number 14 who's in the form of his life. Mourinho waxed lyrical about Lionel Jesse post match. "He's in a moment of confidence where things go well for him. He's a good professional and a fantastic kid in the dressing room". It isn't just the goals - although they are important and of an outstandingly high quality - but the confidence he is showing, feeling like he deserves the stage of United now. At 25, Lingard can no longer be regarded as a promising youngster. It's time to deliver, and boy, currently he is rivalling the postmen in that department.

United (4-2-3-1) Romero 6.5; Lindelof 6, Smalling 6, Blind 6.5, Shaw 6.5; Herrera 6, Pogba 6.5; Mata 7 (Martial 67, 7.5) Lingard 8.5, Mkhitaryan 5 (Lukaku 46, 7.5); Rashford 6 (Fellaini 80).

*I was at the theatre, watching 'The play that goes wrong'. Would recommend it. Almost as funny as Liverpool's league drought reaching 28 years this year, in my opinion.