Twitter Reacts to Manchester United's FA Cup Victory over Preston North End

Manchester United went into Monday evening's FA Cup fifth-round tie with Preston North End under the kind of pressure not associated with facing a team from two divisions below them.

Having failed to impress against lower-league opposition such as MK Dons, Cambridge and Yeovil this season, Louis van Gaal's side knew that a loss would spell the earliest end to a Manchester United season in 28 years (i.e., no trophies, as per the Daily Mail).  

In the hours building up to the game, reminders of the two teams' joint history circulated on Twitter...

"

David Beckham scored a beauty for Preston North End on his loan spell http://t.co/kSbtOERYJm

— Rahul Singh (@forevruntd) February 16, 2015"

Despite their unconvincing performances against teams lower down the pyramid this season, the Red Devils were still the favourites going into the game, leading to a customary flutter of brave fans making bold statements about the outcome...  

"

If preston beat man utd I'll donate my trainers to charity.... Every pair

— DA (@dylan1280) February 13, 2015"

Moments before kick-off, the sixth-round draw was conducted, setting up a tantalising home tie against Arsenal for the winners...

"

Arsenal fans reaction to FA cup draw.. pic.twitter.com/yatGaSFJ4O

— GeniusFootball (@GeniusFootball) February 16, 2015"

Preston manager Simon Grayson was also trending, but a vast majority of the tweets appeared to focus on his appearance...

"

Simon Grayson looks like Benjamin Button #PNEvMUFC

— Jimbobly (@StrifeOfRiley) February 16, 2015"

Within five minutes of kick-off, Manchester United had inspired a tidal wave of social media laughs via Daley Blind, who comically failed to connect with a Marcos Rojo pass...

"

Blind is clearly still feeling the effects of drawing Arsenal in the next round. https://t.co/N08Jpqlo0Z

— JW10 (@JackWilsh10) February 16, 2015"

"

Daley Blind with a Slippy G impression 

— حسن حنيف (@Has09Han) February 16, 2015"

"

How bad is Daley Blind 

— Mark Smith (@smithy91mark) February 16, 2015"

Kevin Davies, Preston's 37-year-old striker, was also trending throughout the first half, with much attention being paid to his age, size and physicality. The former Bolton forward also attracted attention when he went off injured after 15 minutes and was forced to return in a new shirt that lacked a name and squad number on the back...

"

Preston seem to have parked the bus! Oops! My mistake, it's not a bus it's just Super(Large) Kevin Davies!!

— Ferg1e (@ferg1e) February 16, 2015"

"

Kevin Davies must be at least 163...he's been around for decades! #PNEvMUFC

— John Galt (@StatismRoom101) February 16, 2015"

"

15mins in and 'Big' Kevin Davies comes to the sidelines for a pie and a new shirt!

— Ferg1e (@ferg1e) February 16, 2015"

"

Kevin Davies to point to the back of his nameless shirt after a scoring a towering header. #PREMNU

— Urban James (@urbanjames) February 16, 2015"

Davies wasn't the only member of the Lilywhites getting some stick online—towering German goalkeeper Thorsten Stuckmann was also under keyboard fire...

"

The Preston goalkeeper deffo skips leg day

— Shelb (@shellby_parker) February 16, 2015"

Stuckmann may have faced opposition on Twitter, but he was completely untroubled by Radamel Falcao, who endured a typically underwhelming 45 minutes. Many called attention to his distinct lack of sharpness...

"

#Falcao wouldn't get in my sunday team #Sundayleague

— G Calder III (@gavyshake) February 16, 2015"

"

Van Gaal isn't making tactical notes on his pad, he's doing a sudoku and pretending Falcao isn't getting marked out of the game by a fat lad

— Gareth (@thehandofbeadle) February 16, 2015"

The first half proved to be a fairly dull affair, a fact that didn't go unnoticed...

However, the game erupted into life a few minutes after the break, when Scott Laird found acres of space on the left and coolly slotted past David de Gea...

"

Arsenal fans right now. pic.twitter.com/yyib5JY2E1

— Copa90 (@Copa90) February 16, 2015"

"

Blimey! We have ourselves a cup tie. Preston lead.

— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) February 16, 2015"

After a disappointing display in which the Red Devils failed to register a shot on target before the 55th minute, several fans were going as far as to call for Van Gaal's head... 

"

Even if we win this Van Gaal needs to go. Spent over £100m and performances are as bad as they were under Moyes #VanGaalOut

— Benjamin (@ColeToYorke) February 16, 2015"

The Van Gaal vitriol started to fade away in the 65th minute, when Ander Herrera's shot travelled past Wayne Rooney in an offside position and into Stuckmann's net... 

When Falcao was taken off for Ashley Young at the hour mark (a damning indictment of the Colombian's effectiveness), Marouane Fellaini was essentially played as a striker.

The "Big Man Up Top" tactics proved successful, as the Belgian put the visitors in the lead in the 75th minute...

"

Just play him up top and give him Falcao's wages #Fellaini

— James Stretford (@Jamesstretford) February 16, 2015"

With two minutes left on the clock, Rooney put the game out of reach from the penalty spot after being "felled" by Stuckmann under controversial circumstances...

Despite objections to Rooney's penalty and his offside position during the equaliser, United earned a 3-1 win and a quarter-final tie against Arsenal.

Somebody better let this chap know... 

"

3-1 you say? Arsenal in the next round you say? Sorry mate, was watching my #gopro pic.twitter.com/y91Hmm76d5

— Half Scarf Twat (@halfscarftwat) February 16, 2015"

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