Manchester United Player ratings from their 3-1 win over Arsenal | FA Cup 2018-19
Arsenal and Manchester United have been the two most successful clubs in the history of the FA Cup, sharing a total of 25 trophies between them. United came into this game at the back of seven consecutive wins whereas the Gunners beat Chelsea last time out to gain some momentum before this fixture.
The home side started better in the first half, keeping more of the ball and repeatedly threatened down the left flank. However, United looked dangerous on the counter and got two quick-fire goals - first through Sanchez and then by Lingard. Lukaku providing the assist for both the goals. Arsenal responded brilliantly and got a goal back before the half time through Aubameyang.
The onus was on Arsenal to get the equalizer and hence they pushed on from the start of the second half with Romero coming up with a brilliant save to deny Ramsey. United created few half chances of their own but couldn't convert any of them until Antony Martial scored from a rebound to seal Solskjaer's eighth United win.
Here are the Manchester United Player ratings.
Romero - 7/10
Romero had a comfortable first half until Aubameyang scored from close range towards the end of the half. The Argentine even made an excellent reflex save to deny Ramsey at the start of the second 45 minutes.
Ashley Young - 6.5/10
Most of Arsenal's threats came down the left flank with Iwobi and Kolasinac repeatedly marauding forward which forced Young into more defensive duties than he would have liked. His only way out was a long ball down the line to Lukaku which he played more often than not when United broke through.
Eric Bailly - 6.5/10
Bailly has been criticized mostly for his rash decision makings but today it was a controlled performance against Arsenal. The Ivorian complimented Lindelof well in the center of the defense.
Victor Lindelof - 7/10
It was another commendable performance from the Swede. Lindelof was calm and composed in his passing and positioning. He even won several headers against Lacazette and Aubameyang up front.
Luke Shaw - 6.5/10
It's not easy for any player to come into a high voltage fixture at the back of an illness but Shaw did put up a proper shift in the left back position. He moved forward on occasion and defended the lines well against Maitland-Niles and Lacazette.
Nemanja Matic - 7/10
Nemanja Matic has looked a different player since Solskjaer arrived at Manchester and today again he showed discipline and coolness in the midfield. The Serbian had to deal with a lot of Arsenal movements in front of him but Matic intercepted most of the attacks.
Ander Herrera - 7/10
The Spaniard was lively in the center of the park and distributed the play from the back. Herrera often played long balls down to Lukaku and Sanchez and used the width provided by the United full-backs.
Paul Pogba - 7.5/10
Paul looked tired at the start but as the game progressed he came into his groove making few darting runs into the Arsenal box including a long-range effort which Martial tucked in to score United's third of the night.
Alexis Sanchez - 7/10
Before the game, the Chilean international was one of the very few United players who hasn't proved his worth under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. He did put in a good show on the night and got a goal for himself. Sanchez latched on to a clever pass from Lukaku and placed it beautifully past Peter Cech to open the scoring for the Red Devils.
Jesse Lingard - 8/10
Lingard worked tirelessly throughout the game and deservedly got his goal from a Lukaku pass. His movement was sharp and repeatedly interchanged positions with Lukaku and Sanchez up front.
Romelu Lukaku - 8/10
Though he didn't score a goal, Lukaku was the creator of both United goals in the first half. He played down the right-hand side and continuously drifted inside causing all sorts of problems for Arsenal defense,
Substitutes -
Antony Martial - 7/10
Came late in the second half but that was enough to score United's third goal and secure a place in the next round of the FA Cup.
Marcus Rashford - 6.5/10
Rashford is United's first choice center forward but today he came late in the second half in place of Lukaku. His pace was a nightmare for Arsenal's defense.
Phil Jones - NA
Hardly got time to make an impact.