HEADERS FROM MAROUANE Fellaini and Chris Smalling, and second half efforts from Henrkih Mkhitaryan and Bastian Schweinsteiger ensured holders Manchester United enjoyed a comfortable 4-0 fourth round FA Cup victory against Wigan on Sunday.
For German World Cup winner Schweinsteiger it was a rare sweet moment since Jose Mourinho took over — he banished him at one point to train away from the first team before welcoming him back into the fold at the end of October — scoring on his first start in 385 days.
The scoreline flattered Jose Mourinho’s side slightly as his much-changed starting XI struggled to break down the Championship visitors for nearly all of the first half.
But ultimately, United still have a chance of becoming just the sixth team to retain the trophy following a routine win.
Fellaini struck in the 43rd minute of a first half in which the Premier League side failed to play with any real rhythm or pace.
That was probably not surprising given Mourinho had made nine changes from the side that advanced to the final of the League Cup despite losing at Hull in last Thursday’s semi-final second leg.
United spent most of that first half looking like a team that had never played together before and, when the opening goal did finally come, it was from a very direct approach.
At the end of a long passage of play, which had United supporters showing their impatience, the ball was worked to Schweinsteiger on the right and his high, deep cross was met by the Belgian who beat marker Callum Connolly and headed powerfully into the goal.
It was Fellaini’s second goal of the season, the midfielder having also scored an important cup goal in the first leg semi-final win over Hull.
Not until Smalling struck, in the 58th minute, could Mourinho relax after Wigan failed to clear a Wayne Rooney corner and Anthony Martial darted into the Wigan penalty area.
His perfect chip into the six-yard area was met by Smalling, still in position following the set-piece, and the England international made no mistake from close range.
Wigan began to wilt under the United pressure, especially when they pressed forward in search of a route back into the tie, and fell to a devastating counter-attack after 73 minutes.
Man of the match Mkhitaryan and Martial exchanged passes as they galloped into Wigan territory, leaving the former with the opportunity to practically walk the ball past Jakob Haugaard into the Wigan goal.
Another Rooney corner caused problems with nine minutes remaining and was headed goalwards by United substitute Ander Herrera for Schweinsteiger to swivel and force the ball home from six yards.
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Bastian was really good today. He got on the ball loads and a killer cross for the goal. Jose might be thinking twice about shipping him out. If he can bring back his old form he could influential to Uniteds season
Should be kept till the summer definitely anyway, added to the Europa League squad too apparently.
Liverpools second string compared to Uniteds second string is a huge gulf of class , klopp has had time to put his squad together it should be better then what it is . Good to see bastian back playing .
But do Liverpool really need to rest players? As they said on BBC today Liverpool have 16 league game left and nothing else.. Play your best team and try and win every game.. Liverpool have have won only one league cup in the last 10 years do they need need to rest players especially when they league looks like it’s all over.
Also not winding you up saying that.. Liverpool should be fresh compared to other clubs with no European football.. Klopp is foolish because if he wins a trophy it buys him time and the fans will adore him even more..
@Ryan. Not being smart but Liverpool won’t be able to build a squad like Uniteds. Simply because of money. United are paying more to mostly squad players than Liverpool are paying to first teamers
@ryan o sullivan: Klopp should definitely have played close to a strong team as he could’ve. The league looks gone for most teams so this would represent a good chance for a trophy for Liverpool.
I only said that to my mate after yesterday’s game we should have played are best team and got a win we haven’t been winning games it was stupid by klopp and backfired big time .
Very poor first half, no mobility in midfield and slow passing but woke up alot in the second half and much better but second goal took the pressure off Utd. Mkhitaryan showing his class again and needs to be kept fit for the rest of the season . Tomorrow’s draw should be interesting with Utd, City, Arsenal, Chelsea and Spurs in the hat along with a few giant killers.
Basti had a good game today,nice for Utd to be able to bring in players with his experience
Seriously what is going on with Luke Shaw?
How is it possible that a guy on the right side of 25 who’s an extraordinarily well paid full time professional constantly overweight.
He’s had warnings from both Van Gaal and Mourinho yet is still clearly carrying at least 1st too much weight.
Not sure Panch but something’s not right. I know it’s a bit of a stereotype to say footballers aren’t very bright but when I’ve heard Shaw interviewed I think the light may be on but nobody’s home. Made a lot of basic errors today.
clearly time for a team to kick on and stay involved with as many trophies as possible
4-0 against Wigan and no goal from Rooney, just shows how reduced as a goal threat he is now. If he lasts til summer then he’ll def be shipped out but his value will be crap. Think Fergie got that one wrong by not cashing in when he held the club to ransom
I suppose Martial and Mata should be shipped out too
Always the poor mouth. Why focus on Rooney when there were other positives. OK so Wigan aren’t the strongest opposition but, like others here, I was delighted to see Schweinsteigger play well, Mkhitaryan was terrific and Martial proved he is much better playing wide than centre forward. On the down side, Luke Shaw looked off the pace but it’s obvious that he needs more game time. With the Europa League returning shortly, the League Cup final and FA Cup to come, Mourinho is going to need a full squad as games will come thick and fast.
@An_Beal_Bocht: If rumours are to be believed then teams from China want to sign him for a big transfer fee so would get big money for him as opposed to a small one from America.