FA Cup Roundup: Manchester United Hit Back In Style

I didn't really know what to expect today as Manchester United walked out at Old Trafford to take on Arsenal in the FA Cup.

Both sides were without their top goal-scorers (Emmanuel Adebayor and Cristiano Ronaldo) and key midfielders (Mathieu Flamini and Paul Scholes), but on paper you'd have to say United looked the strongest.

Darren Fletcher returned for United after missing a number of weeks and was visibly keen to impress.

It was vintage United from the get-go, with the United defence looking stronger, and their young midfield constantly stretching Arsenal's back four.

The midfield play set the tone for the match, as United fired four unanswered goals past the Gunners. Emmanuel Eboue didn't help Arsenal's cause with a straight red card for serious foul play (bordering on violent conduct, I must say).

Wayne Rooney, Nani, and Fletcher (twice) were the scorers—with the latter answering his critics in emphatic style.

The young Scot worked tirelessly for United and was rewarded with his two goals.

So what does all this mean with regards to the EPL?

For starters, United will take a lot of confidence out of the match, having hammered the league leaders and proving themselves the superior side.

Arsenal, on the other hand , haven't lost like this in a while—and Arsene Wenger will have his work cut out to prepare his boys for the Champions League midweek.

A good result in Europe would surely clear any FA Cup hangovers.

 

As for Liverpool—they're out. The woeful Reds hit 32 shots at Anfield but still couldn't kill off lowly Barnsley. They were then made to pay by a brilliant second half comeback.

With 90 minutes already on the clock, it was Brian Howard who worked his way through a woeful Liverpool defence before being invited to shoot by Jamie Carragher.

The result was a winning goal for Barnsley and another great FA Cup shocker.

 

Elsewhere Chelsea survived a scare from Huddersfield before going on to win 3-1 at Stamford Bridge, and Bristol Rovers beat Southampton 1-0 in the early kickoff.

As it stands, Liverpool and Arsenal must pick themselves up before their European ties, while Manchester United has reminded everyone that they're well capable of winning another famous Treble.

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