Preston vs. Manchester United: Score, Grades, Reaction from 2014/15 FA Cup Game
Manchester United moved into the FA Cup quarter-finals after coming from behind to win 3-1 at League One side Preston North End on Monday.
Following a scoreless first half, Preston left-back Scott Laird scored in the 47th minute to put the hosts on course for what would have been a famous Cup upset. But United turned around the match with goals from Ander Herrera and Marouane Fellaini. Wayne Rooney then added a late penalty to add gloss to the scoreline.
The result was not without controversy, however. Preston will feel aggrieved over United's first goal, which could have been ruled out for offside on Rooney. In addition, Rooney appeared guilty of simulation in winning the penalty that led to United's third.
TOP NEWS
Madrid Fines Players $590K 😲
'Mbappé Out' Petition Gaining Steam 😳
Star-Studded World Cup Ad 🤩
"Brilliant atmosphere at Preston tonight- substitution of falcao changed the game for Utd- can't wait for the 1/4 final vs arsenal!!!
— Philip Neville (@fizzer18) February 16, 2015"
With the victory, United advanced into the final eight of the FA Cup and will host fellow Premier League giants Arsenal in the quarter-finals. The winner of that clash will surely be among the favourites to lift the trophy at Wembley on May 30.
United last won the FA Cup in 2004, but before the Red Devils can focus on ending that drought, Louis van Gaal's side will turn their attention back to the Premier League. Currently in third place, United are looking to finish in the top four after placing seventh last season and missing out on a UEFA Champions League.
Up next for United is a trip to Swansea on Saturday, and the Red Devils will be hoping their cup momentum translates to the Premier League.
The match quickly settled into a pattern almost immediately after kick-off, as United monopolised the ball and Preston defended in numbers. Despite holding the vast majority of possession, the visitors were unable to create much in the way of clear chances.
In the 15th minute, United's Angel Di Maria curled a free-kick narrowly wide of the post from a promising area just outside the box. It turned out to be the closest the visitors came to scoring in the first half.
Twelve minutes later, Preston had a decent opening at the other end as Paul Gallagher curled a dangerous free-kick into the goalmouth. United goalkeeper David de Gea was stranded, but Joe Garner sent his looping header well over the bar.
Having been frustrated throughout the first 45 minutes, United found themselves a goal behind in the second minute of the second half.
The chance started with Preston striker Kevin Davies winning a 50-50 ball and flicking a header into the path of Garner. Garner held off his defender, turned and headed for the box before passing to Laird on the left. Laird's first-time shot took a slight deflection off Antonio Valencia's foot and flew into the net off De Gea's hands.
Deepdale roared in approval as the home side celebrated a potentially massive goal. Both teams had chances soon after. In the 58th minute, Di Maria hit a tame shot from on target from distance that Thorsten Stuckmann saved comfortably. At the other end, De Gea easily stopped a Garner header after the Preston man latched onto a long ball from Chris Humphrey.
A famous upset victory was coming into view for Preston, but in the 65th minute, United pulled level under controversial circumstances.
United substitute Ashley Young, who had replaced Radamel Falcao five minutes earlier, found space on the right and slipped a pass to Herrera in the box. Herrera carved out a yard of space for himself with a fine touch and turn before clipping in a shot at the far post.
Preston's defenders appealed furiously for offside against Rooney, who appeared to distract Stuckmann from trying to stop Herrera's shot. Rooney was unquestionably in an offside position as the ball went past, but the United man stepped out of the path of the shot and referee Phil Dowd declined to rule out the goal.
The home side was clearly deflated by the goal, but Preston's plight would only become worse. In the 72nd minute, United went ahead.
Valencia created the chance with a cross from a deep position on the right, picking out Fellaini at the back post. Fellaini overpowered his marker and powered a low header on target. Stuckmann saved but pushed the ball back into the path of Fellaini, who slammed in the rebound for a 2-1 United lead.
Preston weren't quite finished yet. In the 80th minute, Kyel Reid volleyed wide of the post. Three minutes later, Callum Robinson had a shot saved by De Gea after the hosts broke forward at pace.
But the final goal of the match would come at the other end, as Rooney finished off United's night on a positive note. Chasing down a loose ball in the 87th minute, Rooney won a penalty after going to ground in the box following a challenge by Stuckmann. Replays suggested little contact, but Dowd awarded a penalty and showed Stuckmann a yellow card.
One minute later, Rooney slammed in the penalty himself to cap off United's 3-1 victory.
Grades
| Thorsten Stuckmann | 5.3 |
| Chris Humphrey | 6.1 |
| Bailey Wright | 6.9 |
| Paul Huntington | 6.2 |
| Tom Clarke | 6.3 |
| Scott Laird | 7.5 |
| Neil Kilkenny | 6.0 |
| John Welsh | 6.7 |
| Paul Gallagher | 6.5 |
| Kevin Davies | 6.6 |
| Joe Garner | 6.9 |
| Callum Robinson (for Davies, 75') | 6.1 |
| Kyel Reid (for Kilkenny, 75') | 6.2 |
| Scott Wiseman (for Wright, 75') | 6.0 |
| David de Gea | 6.1 |
| Antonio Valencia | 7.7 |
| Marcos Rojo | 7.2 |
| Chris Smalling | 7.8 |
| Luke Shaw | 7.1 |
| Daley Blind | 7.2 |
| Angel Di Maria | 7.4 |
| Ander Herrera | 8.2 |
| Marouane Fellaini | 7.6 |
| Radamel Falcao | 6.0 |
| Wayne Rooney | 7.9 |
| Ashley Young (for Falcao, 60') | 7.0 |
Reaction
Manchester United midfielder Marouane Fellaini, via BBC Sport:
"We knew it would be very hard but we win today and that's the most important. We changed the game, we know the quality of Ashley Young, he can cross and it was an important substitution.
I like to play forward, I can score goals but the manager is the boss.
"
Preston North End manager Simon Grayson, speaking to beIn Sport (h/t BBC Sport):
"The first one he [Wayne Rooney] is close to interfering with our goalkeeper. Sometimes you get them and sometimes you don't. Even the second we felt there was slight nudge by Fellaini on Tom Clarke but there are fine lines between winning football matches and not. Regardless of the scoreline we are very proud of what we have done.
This is a big club, the infrastructure is in place. We are doing well in the league and we will draw from the experiences tonight.
"
Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal, via BBC Sport:
"I was reasonably satisfied. We didn't give anything away. The fights between Kevin Davies and the defenders was difficult but we didn't give anything away. The Preston goal was a little bit unlucky, it was deviated.
But then we showed an unbelievable team spirit. We changed the shape and that was the solution. We scored fantastic goals, a little bit lucky also I think. I liked the second goal a lot, we have trained that a lot.
Marouane Fellaini has a body, he also scores goals. I played him in the position that he wants for the first time but I do not always have a position for him. The spirit was better.
"
