Manchester United-Arsenal: Red Devils Destroy Gunners

A rejuvenated Manchester United breezed past an out-of-sorts Arsenal 4-0 at Old Trafford in the pick of the FA Cup fifth-round encounters.  

After some poor performances of late, pushing Arsenal five points clear at the top of the log, the Red Devils had a point to prove.  The team welcomed back Wayne Rooney and Patrice Evra, although their talisman Cristiano Ronaldo was rested ahead of their midweek Champions league game.

Rooney looked dangerous throughout and headed his second FA Cup goal and eleventh for the season after Arsenal failed to clear from a corner kick in the sixteenth minute.  Darren Fletcher, in only his sixth start of the season, headed home three minutes later after a dazzling run and cross from the Portuguese international Nani. 

The two early goals were just deserved after a blistering United start.  The Red Devils industrious five-man midfield was the catalyst for their early dominance. In-form Cesc Fabregas and Alexander Hleb were outrun by the likes of Fletcher, Park and Anderson who all epitomized United’s incredible work-rate on the night.

Michael Carrick was back to his best orchestrating United’s attacks with pinpoint passing.  Before the break, Nani who played alongside Rooney, volleyed home after Carrick’s defense-splitting reverse pass.

Although he has impressed on occasion this season, Nani came of age Sunday in the absence of his countryman Ronaldo.  Popping up on both flanks and attacking Arsenal from all angles, he was the thrust behind much of United’s wing play, and was assisted by Evra and Wes Brown’s overlapping runs.

United continued in similar vein in the second half creating several chances, and should have scored three or four more.  Emmanuel Eboue’s early second half exit after a rash challenge on Nani didn’t help the Gunners.

Rooney, whose combative forward play caused problems for Arsenal’s frail back four, could have extended his tally on several occasions but could not find the final touch.

Arsenal made three changes in the second half bringing on Emmanuel Adebayor, Mathieu Flamini and Philippe Sendeross, but nothing could stop the United onslaught as they opened up the Arsenal defense time and again. 

United even had the luxury of subbing Rooney and Anderson ahead of next week’s Champions League game against Lyon.

United finished off the game with another goal from Fletcher who sneaked in at the back post to head home after more dazzling footwork by Nani.  Fletcher, who has never cemented his place in the United starting lineup, but who is highly regarded by Ferguson, had a storming game and might push for more playing time before the season is out.

On paper, it was a game that should have been closely fought although there was only one team in it.  In fact, most pundits would probably have given the edge to Arsenal. Alex Ferguson has always stressed to his players the importance of not losing two games in a row, and tonight one could see that thinking coming through.

One wonders what psychological impact the result might have on Arsenal’s young guns as they hope to protect their five-point lead at the top of the Premiership.