Manchester United vs. Cambridge: Score, Grades and Reaction from 2014/15 FA Cup

Manchester United 3-0 Cambridge

Goals from Juan Mata, Marcos Rojo and substitute James Wilson earned Manchester United a comfortable 3-0 win over Cambridge in their FA Cup fourth-round replay at Old Trafford.

The League Two side will be left to rue what could have happened had striker Tom Elliott taken a first-minute chance to stun the Premier League club.

Instead, Mata opened the scoring for United in the 25th minute when he bundled home Marouane Fellaini's far-post header into the six-yard box.

Marcos Rojo headed home a second goal for the Red Devils seven minutes later from a Robin van Persie cross to effectively seal the victory.

And Wilson combined with fellow sub Ander Herrera to make it 3-0 with 17 minutes remaining.

Cambridge were gifted a chance to stun their hosts after just 50 seconds courtesy of a loose ball from United midfielder Daley Blind. Elliott raced on to the ball and attempted to place his effort beyond David De Gea but struck the post.

It was not a shining moment for United's Dutchman, who had impressed at the weekend against Leicester City in Premier League play.

The home team settled after that early scare, but despite dominating the possession, it could not find a way to goal.

Wayne Rooney, whom manager Louis van Gaal played in a wide role, tested Chris Dunn with a strike from the edge of the area, but the Cambridge goalkeeper saved comfortably.

Jon Super/Associated Press

In the 25th minute, the Red Devils broke the deadlock. Paddy McNair played a great infield pass to Mata, who found Angel Di Maria down the left flank from where he crossed to Fellaini at the far post.

The Belgium international headed back into the six-yard area, where Mata raced in to push the ball home.

Five minutes later, McNair was almost among the goals himself, but his snapshot from the edge of the area was deflected for a corner.

But United's second goal wasn't long in coming. After Fellaini had his poked effort from a corner blocked, the ball fell for Van Persie to clip it back with the outside of his boot, and Rojo rose highest to head home on the edge of the six-yard box in the 32nd minute.

Three minutes before the interval, Rooney should have been celebrating a spectacular third when Di Maria's floated cross dropped invitingly for him at the edge of the area. However, the United forward could not fully connect, and the chance drifted wide.

Van Persie spurned an early second-half opportunity when McNair pulled the ball back from the byline and the Dutchman headed wide.

Cambridge midfielder Luke Chadwick, a former player at United, was withdrawn from the action in the 51st minute, earning applause from all corners of Old Trafford.

Dunn did well to block a Rooney half-volley moments later, but Van Persie could not convert the loose ball.

Van Gaal switched Van Persie for Wilson in the 66th minute with the tie effectively won.

Elliott was adjudged to be offside as he ran free down the left flank, but replays appeared inconclusive.

United made a further substitution in the 71st minute as Ander Herrera, who was surprisingly left out of the starting XI, came on for Di Maria.

And the two United subs combined two minutes later to add United's third. Herrera intercepted a loose Cambridge pass before laying the ball into the path of Wilson, who curled the ball around Dunn.

Ashley Young came on for goalscorer Rojo in the 81st minute to register a 100th appearance for United, before Cameron McGeehan went close for the U's in injury time.

United held on to possession for the remainder of the game, leaving Cambridge to remember a famous result in the first game and the subsequent financial boost earned from the replay.

United will now face more lower-league opposition in the fifth round when they travel to Preston North End, who beat Sheffield United in an all-League One replay on Tuesday night.

Selected Player Ratings

Paddy McNair, United: A+

Very impressive display from the Manchester United defender in the right-back position. He played an integral role in the first goal and looked sharp throughout.

Luke Chadwick, Cambridge: B+

A likely final game at Old Trafford for the former Manchester United midfielder, and his experience helped the League Two side. He left the field in the 51st minute to applause from the Old Trafford crowd.

Wayne Rooney, United: A-

The Manchester United captain played in an unorthodox right-sided role but still appears to be lacking the spark of old.

What's Ahead

Both clubs will now turn their attentions back to league action.

Manchester United travel to West Ham in the Premier League on Sunday, while Cambridge entertain promotion hopefuls Wycombe Wanderers in League Two on Saturday.

Post-Match Reaction

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