Patrick Rees
Two goals, early in either half, by Manchester United striker Romelu Lukaku gave the Devils their tickets to the next round of the FA Cup after defeating David Wagner’s Huddersfield Town 2-0 at Kirklees Stadium.
With the win, United will now face Chris Hughton’s Brighton in the quarter-final of the competition. Brighton defeated Coventry 3-1 in the fifth round of the competition to reach the quarter-finals for the first time in their history since 1986. United and Brighton have a notable history in the FA Cup. The two sides met in the 1983 FA Cup final and drew 2-2 at Wembley. Then managed by Ron Atkinson, Manchester United went on to emerge victorious by thumping 4-0 in the replay.
Manchester United opened the scoring in as early as the third minute after Juan Mata put Romelu Lukaku through. After a certain hustle with Huddersfield skipper Christopher Schindler, the Belgian slotted home with a neat finish and gave United an early lead. Wagner’s men eventually picked up the momentum and created plenty of opportunities, but to no avail. Former Liverpool youngster Tom Ince went close twice but failed to test Sergio Romero – who was one of the six changes Mourinho made on the night.
The talking point came soon after when Juan Mata scored with a neat finish, but the Spaniard’s effort was ruled out for offside by the video assistant referee (VAR). There, however, remained some confusion whether Mata was really off or not. Some seemed to believe he was, while the footages showed he was right on.
“On the pitch I did not know if I was offside or not because the line was very tight,” Mata told BBC Sport. “I did what I have to do, which is score and celebrate, then I saw the referee speaking [into his earpiece].
“I am up for VAR to be honest, it is good for football. But today it seems like the decision was not very clear. I think we all wished the decision was made quicker.”
Manchester United, however, didn’t take much to extend their lead as just ten minutes after the restart, Romelu Lukaku completed his brace after Alexis Sanchez’s slick through ball put the Belgian right on goal. Talking numbers, it was Huddersfield who dominated the game and the fact that they enjoyed 54% of possession is the perfect specimen of it. The Terries registered 19 shots throughout the 90 minutes, but only 5 of them came on target. Manchester United, on the other hand, scored two with their only two shots on target.
Just in, Romelu Lukaku has scored 11 goals in his last 10 FA Cup appearances.
Meanwhile, for the Manchester United fans, this is how reacted to the win:
Let’s not overlook Luke Shaw’s performance today. Had 3 Huddersfield players on him at times and was flawless from start to finish! pic.twitter.com/P8MHfyuIBl
— J.A.O (@JuanAnderOnly) February 17, 2018
LETS DESTROY SEVILLA COME ONNNN
— Steven (@TwoFootValencia) February 17, 2018
Play Sanchez behind Lukaku and Martial on the left.
— ‘Jay (@_Rraymond) February 17, 2018
Lukaku best Belgian creation since chocolate
— Matt. (@ffsDaley) February 17, 2018
This is #ManUnited’s best chance of winning a trophy this season imo and save some grace from what’s been a negative season.
— Steve Nelson (@stevenelson45) February 17, 2018
Lindelof was class today, Martial ended a few careers, Lukaku scores a couple goals, Clean sheet for Romero. Good day in the office
— Oscar (@UtdMartial11) February 17, 2018
Unsatisfactory performance but job done.
— yonascal (@yonascal) February 17, 2018
Still worst first touch ever…
— keithgreenedub@yahoo (@keithgreenedub) February 17, 2018
Only 2 SHOTS ON TARGET! Sevilla here we come
— Trevor T Furusa (@theBlkSpielberg) February 17, 2018
Should have been 0-3.
— Ryan. (@Vintage_Utd) February 17, 2018
Congrats on your #FACup win tonight … into the Quarter Finals for the 4th successive season and for the 43rd time in total putting #MUFC joint 2nd with @Arsenal in the all time list of most Quarter Finals appearances#HUDMUN
— FA Cup Factfile (@FACupFactfile) February 17, 2018
Alexis Sanchez made this boy’s year. pic.twitter.com/lqnbjEgeJW
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) February 17, 2018
Hope Alexis tears his acl so Martial starts against Sevilla
— • (@ThePogbaLink) February 17, 2018
That goal, by Alexis Sánchez and Romelu Lukaku, is simply sensational. Fantastic counter attack. That’s more like it from Manchester United!
— Liam Canning (@LiamPaulCanning) February 17, 2018
16 – Alexis Sanchez has been directly involved in 16 goals in 16 appearances in the FA Cup (eight goals and eight assists). Magic. pic.twitter.com/S3kBaGCTQA
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) February 17, 2018
