Manchester United Cruise, and Gun for FA Cup Glory

With no Ronaldo, Giggs, Tevez, Hargreaves, or Adebayor it was clear that, despite both managers wanting to win, they had a keener eye on the forthcoming Champions League games.

Manchester United rose to the challenge early.  They hurried Arsenal's passing, throwing them out of sync, and the usually reliable Fabregas was not able to control the game. 

Darren Fletcher, Anderson, and Park Ji Sung worked tirelessly in the midfield to press the game.  This tactic proved successful for United and Arsenal couldn't get a hold of the game.

Anderson nearly had his first goal for United in the ninth minute with an instinctive volley from outside the box that forced Lehmann to make an impressive save to his right.  A few minutes later a weak Gallas back pass nearly gifted Rooney a goal, but Lehmann was alert and quick to clear the danger.

In the 16th minute, Arsenal failed to clear a corner, and after Anderson bravely headed the ball back into the box.  Rooney glanced a header past Lehmann and put United in front, 1-0.

United didn't let up, and three minutes later Darren Fletcher scored on a header that appeared to hit Gallas before falling into the net.  United was cruising with a 2-0 lead and Arsenal was troubled by the hunger of United and their own passes going astray.

Rooney almost scored on two quick chances, and could have had a first half hat-trick, but scuffed both shots wide.  Nani put United up 3-0 in the 38th minute after bringing down a sublime Carrick pass and smashing his left-footed shot past Lehmann.

Things went from bad to worse for Arsenal as Eboue was sent off for a kick on Evra.  3-0 down and 10 men became worse in the 75th minute when Nani made Hoyte look like a school boy football player and crossed to Fletcher who finished his second goal of the game with a power header past Lehmann.

Looking at the draw, United won't be worried by anyone if they play like they did against Arsenal.  With the draw looking rather weak, anyone apart from Chelsea would suit them, as they look to get to Wembley for the second straight year.