A display which oozed energy, class and, most importantly, goals set the Reds on their way to a memorable Cup victory.
Wayne Rooney opened the scoring on 16 minutes, before Darren Fletcher made it two four minutes later. Nani put the Reds up three-up seven minutes before half-time and Fletcher made it four 16 minutes from time.
Sir Alex made five changes to the side that lost out in the derby last weekend. Rooney and Patrice Evra returned from suspension, while Ji-sung Park, Michael Carrick and Fletcher were all handed a place in the starting XI. Ryan Giggs, Owen Hargreaves and Cristiano Ronaldo were all rested, no doubt with Wednesday’s Champions League trip to Lyon in mind.
United lined up in a 4-5-1 formation with Rooney working the line as the lone striker. Support was close at hand from Fletcher, Nani, Carrick, Park and the outstanding Anderson and it was he who produced the Reds’ first effort on goal on nine minutes. He lashed a first time volley goalwards after Evra’s attempted cross had rebounded into his path, but Lehmann saved well down to his right.
United continued to press and both Rooney and Fletcher came close to capitalising on a stray Arsenal back pass. Luckily for the Gunners, their German stopper was alert to the situation as he sprinted from goal to clear.
Skipper for the day Rio Ferdinand had remarked in the matchday programme how the Reds were determined to banish the memories of last weekend’s derby defeat as quickly as possible and they duly did that after just 16 minutes.
Arsenal failed to clear Nani’s left wing corner, allowing Anderson the chance to head the ball back into the danger area. It fell to the unmarked Rooney who duly headed past Lehmann from three yards out. It was only his second ever headed goal – the first of which had also come against the Gunners in the 2-1 defeat at the Emirates last season.
There was a real zip to United’s play – a feature that had been devoid throughout the City game. Much was made of Rooney’s absence last weekend and how it had contrived to United’s downfall and it was easy to see why on this showing.
Having opened the scoring Rooney also played his part in United’s second goal which arrived on 20 minutes. The striker picked up possession in midfield and laid the ball off the to Anderson who fed Nani down the left. The Portuguese winger twisted and turned before reaching the goal-line and clipping an inch-perfect cross to Fletcher who headed home via a slight deflection off William Gallas.
It was the Scot’s first goal of the campaign on only his seventh start this term. It was nothing more than he deserved after a superb first half display full of endeavour and effort.
Rooney went close to making it three just after the half-hour. Lehmann’s poor goal kick was volleyed into Rooney’s path by Evra. Unfortunately the 22-year-old dragged his shot wide. He did the same again a minute later after being found brilliantly by Fletcher.
The electric atmosphere inside Old Trafford – earlier buoyed by news of Liverpool’s FA Cup exit – was further boosted by a third goal for the Reds seven minutes from the break.
Carrick collected the ball in midfield and clipped a pin-point pass over the top towards Nani. The winger kept his cool, controlling the ball well and setting himself in one movement, before firing a low left-foot drive past Lehmann.
The Reds continued where they left off after the restart. Carrick looped a pass towards Park who outmuscled Traore and fed Rooney. The striker took one touch before letting fly. Lehmann stood firm, however, and parried clear United’s lone front man went close again soon after from a free-kick.
With Cristiano Ronaldo watching from the stands, the players on show were afforded a rare opportunity to take aim from set-pieces. Rooney’s effort, which took a slight nick off Fletcher, was well held by Lehmann.
Arsenal’s chances of somehow finding a way back into the game were all but dashed on 49 minutes when Emmanuel Eboue was dismissed for a high tackle on Evra, although replays showed the red card was rather harsh from Alan Wiley.
Rooney’s ongoing duel with Lehmann continued just after the hour when the German stopper foiled the striker once more after Anderson had slid Rooney through on goal.
Having been under the cosh for most of the game, Arsenal finally registered their first real effort on goal on 64 minutes. But Eduardo’s header was always going over.
Arsene Wenger made a triple substitution six minutes later introducing Flamini, Adebayor and Senderos, but it was too little too late. Paul Scholes and Louis Saha also entered the fray, with the departing Rooney and Anderson given a standing ovation for their efforts.
United grabbed their fourth on 74 minutes through Fletcher. Nani, who impressed throughout, stood a deep cross up to the back post where Fletcher was waiting to power a header past Lehmann.
Saha went close to making it five in the final seconds, but Lehmann denied him a comeback goal.
As the game drew to a close, United fans joyously taunted the Gunners with chants of ‘You’re going out with the Scousers.’ Most importantly for the Reds, they’re going through, thanks to the kind of performance any opposition team would have found hard to live with. United are well and truly back on track.
Brief
17' [1 - 0] W. Rooney
19' [2 - 0] D. Fletcher
38' [3 - 0] Nani
75' [4 - 0] D. Fletcher
Glory Glory Man Utd !!!!
Report : Man Utd 4 - 0 Arsenal
Re: Report : Man Utd 4 - 0 Arsenal
