A stunning late goal by Jesse Lingard coupled with a comeback goal from Romelu Lukaku gave Manchester United their ticket to the next round of the FA Cup after beating Derby County 2-0 in the 3rd round of the competition.
A game which might have turned out to be a late-late drama was turned over its head just by the introduction of Romelu Lukaku and Anthony Martial. With the former being named on the bench, Mourinho decided to deploy Marcus Rashford as the lone striker, while the likes of Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Juan Mata were swapping the wings on occasions. In the midst, in-form midfielder Jesse Lingard was deployed.
Quite obviously, it was Manchester United who began dominating the fixture right from the first whistle and despite creating a host of chances, the final delivery was missing. Early in the first half, Marcus Rashford came close to scoring when Henrikh Mkhitaryan delivered a perfect cross. But the Englishman’s header, right from a point-blank range, hit the frame and United were denied their opener.
The young striker again came close to scoring, in the second half, but his firey venom, yet again, hit the post and the United faithful were left red-faced. As the game approached the final 10 minutes, United picked up the pace and out of nowhere, Jesse Lingard found the net with a lovely finish from almost 20-yards out.
Six minutes into the game, United doubled their advantage with a perfect counter. Paul Pogba cleared the ball from United’s penalty area and capitalising on this, the likes of Romelu Lukaku and Anthony Martial combined well before the former slotted home a brilliant finish.
“I was feeling that we were close to scoring and we never stopped trying. But when you get past 80 minutes and the goal hasn’t come, you fear the second match. But the team kept trying so I knew the goal could arrive,” Mourinho was quoted by BBC after the game.
“It was a great shot by Jesse Lingard in the top corner, 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.”
Having said that, this is how Twitter reacted to the win:
WE’VE GOT LINGARD
JESSE LINGARD
I JUST DON’T THINK YOU UNDERSTAND
ALWAYS ACTING HARD
BETTER THAN HAZARD
WE’VE GOT JESSE LINGARDDDD— Aidan (@UtdAidan) January 5, 2018
83rd min Fellani comes on
84th min Lingard scores 1-0
90th min Lukaku scores 2-0Fellani effect
— M (@PendingPogba) January 5, 2018
Lingard the boss!
— Man United Fans (@united20titles) January 5, 2018
ANNOUNCE LIFETIME CONTRACTS FOR MARTIALDO AND LINGARDINHO
— Jack (@JBailey7_) January 5, 2018
Jesé Lingardinho
— Younis (@YounisArshad1) January 5, 2018
Rashford’s declining form is concerning!
— MissVella (@VellaJimmie) January 5, 2018
Didn’t think I’d say this but rashford needs to learn finishing from lingard
— WANTED TO LET U KNOW THAT IT REALLY IS MARTIAL FC (@Juanderooney) January 5, 2018
Massive difference in ruthlessness between Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial when in front of goal. The Frenchman is as clinical as they come.
— Liam Canning (@LiamPaulCanning) January 5, 2018
Rashford has gone from the humble young lad who you forgave mistakes due to his age and enthusiasm, to a sulky, arrogant player who wants to do everything, but can’t do anything.
— Bill 2 Pay (@Willmart647) January 5, 2018
I never wanna see Rashford start a single game over Martial.
— Titi (@Yaga_yawww) January 5, 2018
Marcus Rashford’s been playing like his head is up his ass for a while now & it’s very frustrating to watch. Summed up by hitting a one man wall.
— Adam Joseph (@AdamJosephSport) January 5, 2018
See that’s the difference. Martial gives Lukaku a goal in that situation. Because he has a brain. Rashford goes on his own and fucks it up.
— Jaydn (@JaydnMUFC) January 5, 2018
RASHFORD HAHAHAHHAHA FUCK OUT OF MY CLUB YOU ABSOLUTE DILDO
— Pogbesque (@PogbesqueV3) January 5, 2018
Don’t ever tell me Rashford is better that Martial. Never again.
Selfish English prick!
— NIGHT KING (@Mikee_PMF) January 5, 2018
Rashford has been shit all season and the english hasnt seen it. Always bashing martial for a bad day in a match but for rashford he needs time
— RedDeviL (@yaw7030) January 5, 2018
Can’t believe they used to mention Rashford and Mbappe in the same sentence, smh Rashford is just a pacey Djemba Djemba.
— Yeah, whatever. (@Keith_a_Trip) January 5, 2018
Write off Marcus Rashford at your peril. Akin to Lingard, he’ll soon be serving up sizeable portions of humble to the naysayers. Get your napkins ready #MUFC
— Jonathan Shrager (@JonathanShrager) January 5, 2018
Martial is the most lethal finisher in the club. Rashford doesn’t come close rarara
— IYA OLOSHE (@Nazygold2) January 5, 2018
Rashford isnt half as good as Utd fans claim tbh. The earlier we all agree, the better for us.
— ~ (@Pxlvmi_A) January 5, 2018
