Cambridge vs. Manchester United: Score, Grades and Reaction from FA Cup Game

Manchester United will face an FA Cup fourth-round replay after playing to a disappointing 0-0 draw against fourth-tier Cambridge United on Friday night at the Abbey Stadium.

Cambridge were the lowest-ranked team included in the fourth-round draw, but Richard Money's side managed to hold off Manchester United for a full 90 minutes and even created their own moments of danger. The best chance of the match fell to the hosts in the 31st minute, with Josh Coulson heading over the bar from close range after Manchester United struggled to clear a corner.

Many took to Twitter to discuss the match:

For Manchester United, the result will be both a disappointment and a potential headache on the fixture list. Louis van Gaal's men struggled to create chances throughout the match and now face the unwanted prospect of a replay as they chase a top-four finish in the Premier League.

Currently 12 points behind leaders Chelsea, United are almost certainly out of the title race but remain alive in the chase for a UEFA Champions League spot. With the Red Devils not competing in Europe this season, Van Gaal might view the FA Cup as the best opportunity to claim silverware in his first campaign with the club. 

Up next for Manchester United is a Premier League match at home to Leicester City a week from Saturday. Cambridge United, currently 12th in League Two and six points off the play-off spots, host Dagenham and Redbridge on Tuesday.

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Despite the large gap in league standing between the two clubs, Cambridge started well and created the better chances in the first half. In the seventh minute, Tom Elliott rose highest to meet a free-kick at the back post but flicked his header harmlessly wide of the target.

Manchester United had a first sight of goal three minutes later, with Daley Blind shooting on target from a tight angle on the left. Cambridge goalkeeper Chris Dunn saved at his near post.

The best chance of the first half came just after the half-hour mark. With Manchester United scrambling to clear a corner in the 31st minute, the ball bounced invitingly to Coulson in the goalmouth. The defender only had to place the ball on target, but instead he headed over from close range, and the match remained scoreless.

Manchester United began to exert more control on the match after half-time, but still the visitors were unable to create much in the way of chances until the 62nd minute. That was when Michael Carrick cut open Cambridge's defence with a curling pass straight down the pitch to Radamel Falcao. The Colombian took a touch to turn into the box and shot low on target, but Dunn saved well with his legs.

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A double substitution followed in the 67th minute, with Robin van Persie and Ander Herrera replacing James Wilson and Marouane Fellaini. Van Persie had a first chance just four minutes later, running onto a chipped pass from Angel Di Maria before blasting his first-time shot over the bar from a tight angle. 

The visitors seemed increasingly likely to make the breakthrough, but Cambridge remained largely untroubled as full-time approached. Manchester United had one final chance in stoppage time, as Di Maria latched onto an attempted clearance near the edge of the box, but his powerful volley was blocked.

Time was running out for Manchester United by that point, and after three minutes of stoppage time, Cambridge had held out for a creditable draw. SportingIntelligence.com noted that the match was financially beneficial for Cambridge:

Grades

Starting XI	Rating
Substitutes	Rating
David De Gea	6
Antonio Valencia	6
Phil Jones	6
Marcos Rojo	6
Daley Blind	6
Marouane Fellaini	5
Michael Carrick	6
Adnan Januzaj	6
Angel Di Maria	6
James Wilson	5
Radamel Falcao	5
Robin van Persie (for Wilson, 67')	6
Ander Herrera (for Fellaini, 67')	7
Luke Shaw (for Blind, 86')	No rating

Reaction

Cambridge United manager Richard Money (via BBC Sport):

"

That was hard work wasn't it? Obviously I am very proud. We will try to go to Old Trafford and soak it in, enjoy the night. Because the praise and credit people will get tonight, they deserve.

Financially for the club it's an incredible achievement. I thought first half we carried a threat, we robbed them in dangerous areas, our two wide players looked threatening, our set-pieces were good - we nearly scored one. The second half is what it is. The cavalry come, whatever, and it really is about how good your defensive organisation is.

The goalkeeper and back four were outstanding. You can see what it means to everybody. We are all going back to a hotel in the city, families as well. The club have organised a bit of a buffet, there'll one or two drinks I guess. Yes, it'll be nice.

"

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal (via BBC Sport):

"

Yes of course it is frustrating. We make the same error as against Yeovil Town and against QPR, we did the same playing style more or less in the first half. ...

I can only give the credit to the coach, to the staff they did marvellous, but what I already said every aspect of the match is against us—the pitch, the referee, everything that you can think about this is against you. Also the fans of course, but that is nice I think.

The FA Cup is very important—it is the most important title for us. To win the Premier League is much more difficult now, so the FA Cup is our objective also.

"