Manchester United (Red Devils) | Special Thread

Manchester United (Red Devils) | Special Thread

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EVERTON 1-2 MANCHESTER UNITED: LATE MARTIAL STRIKE SENDS VAN GAAL’S MEN INTO FA CUP FINAL
By Dom Farrell
Marouane Fellaini opened the scoring but the game looked to be heading into extra-time after Chris Smalling's own goal levelled matters until the youngster intervened late on
Anthony Martial struck in stoppage time to send Manchester United into the FA Cup final with a 2-1 win over
Everton at Wembley, capping a miserable week for the Merseyside club.
Roberto Martinez's team were much improved from the midweek derby rout they suffered at the hands of Liverpool but Martial ensured there will be no let-up in the growing pressure on the Spaniard.
France international Martial dazzled throughout Saturday's clash at Wembley and crafted the opening goal for United's former Everton midfielder Marouane Fellaini.
David De Gea's magnificent penalty save from Romelu Lukaku, who missed a host of opportunities on an afternoon to forget, seemed to galvanise Martinez's men, who dominated the closing half an hour and deservedly equalised through a Chris Smalling own goal.
But Martial had one more act of livewire brilliance up his sleeve as he darted in-field and collected a scrambled return pass from substitute Ander Herrera to fire past Joel Robles and give Louis van Gaal the chance to lift United's first FA Cup since 2004.
Captain Phil Jagielka and John Stones were passed fit to start at the heart of defence for Everton and the latter made a vital early challenge to deny Martial, after the United forward burst into space behind makeshift right-back Muhamed Besic.
Lukaku found himself through on goal in the fifth minute but a heavy touch forced him to go around De Gea and Wayne Rooney – deployed once again in a midfield role – got back to clear off the line.
United had the upper hand though and, after Martial and Marcus Rashford went close, Fellaini opened the scoring in the 33rd minute.
Rashford stole in ahead of Stones and held up play to find Martial, allowing the Frenchman to torment Besic once more and Fellaini arrived to convert the cross left footed.
Rashford and Martial combined once more nine minutes into the second half, with Jesse Lingard skewing wide on the end of crisp backheel.
But another United youngster to have impressed over recent weeks had a moment to forget in the 56th minute.
Lukaku became the architect as he linked up with Ross Barkley, who was brought down in the box by Timothy Fosu-Mensah.
The upshot was more misery from Lukaku as his well-hit spot-kick was saved by De Gea, who sprung to his right and threw out a strong hand.
Lukaku's toil continued as he headed over, but Martinez replaced Aaron Lennon with Gerard Deulofeu in the 70th minute and was rewarded soon after - the winger's low cross intended for Lukaku diverted into his own net by a lunging Smalling .
De Gea saved from a rampaging Deulofeu but Lukaku could not tap into his team-mates' renewed confidence as he wasted two more chances.
And the clinical Martial made sure he would regret his wastefulness, with United booking a final date with either Watford or Crystal Palace.
 
De Gea
Proved that he is one of the best goalkeepers in the world once again with some vital saves, including a brilliant one to deny Lukaku's penalty.
1.
C. Smalling
Was solid in the heart of defence and unlucky to score the own goal.
12.
M. Rojo
Regularly got forward to support United attacks down the left flank.
5.
D. Blind
Looked very calm and composed in the centre of defence as always and didn't put a foot wrong.
17.
M. Fellaini
Was a constant aerial threat against his old club. He was in the right place for his goal and made an excellent block to stop Lukaku putting Everton in front.
27.
T. Fosu-Men...
Was unlucky to concede the penalty as he clearly played the ball, before being withdrawn in favour of the more experienced Valencia.
51.
M. Carrick
Despite usually being instrumental in United's play, he endured a fairly quiet game by his standards.
16.
J. Lingard
Was lively down the right wing and regularly involved, while he came close to scoring but sliced across his effort.
35.
M. Rashford
Did not really threaten in front of goal but that was mainly because he worked unselfishly for the good of the team.
39.
A. Martial
Set up United's opening goal and showed fantastic composure to score the winner, while his overall play was first-class.
9.
W. Rooney
Made a fantastic goal-line block in the fifth minute and almost every United attack went through him.
10.
Ander Herrera
Came on for Fellaini with three minutes remaining, but made a telling contribution by sending Martial on his way to scoring the winner.
21.
A. Valencia
Replaced Fosu-Mensah to provide more experience for United in the final half-hour.
 
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