United trounce hapless Fulham

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – JANUARY 26: Ryan Giggs of Manchester United scores the opening goal from a penalty kick during the FA Cup Fourth Round match between Manchester United and Fulham at Old Trafford

Manchester United registered a ridiculously easy 4-1 victory over Fulham in the fourth round of the FA Cup at Old Trafford on Saturday to advance to the quarter-finals of the country’s oldest and most prestigious club competition. Goals from Ryan Giggs, Wayne Rooney and a brace from Javier Hernandez secured the easiest victory of United’s season; a game in which they never had to jump out of first gear.

Fulham defender Aaron Hughes scored a late consolation goal for the Londoners, only his second ever in nine years. Not that it would have mattered; such was United’s domination over the Londoners in the game.

First half

As fans were still packing into Old Trafford, the referee’s whistle blew loudly and silenced the night. As everyone turned to look at the spot of commotion, it was seen that Manchester United had earned a penalty in the second minute of the game! A legit penalt was given away by Aaron Hughes, who had needlessly handled the ball in the penalty area, following a needless corner conceded by Steve Sidwell. The ensuing penalty was calmly dispatched away by the veteran, Ryan Giggs, and despite Mark Schwarzer getting a hand on it, the ball had enough power to guide itself into the net.

The goal would set the tone for the game, as Fulham were completely apathetic. They had good spells of possession sporadically, but lacked the cutting edge to score against United. Old boy Berbatov also wasn’t at his best, and his type of play was never suited to such a game for Fulham, who needed an industrious attacker to run at the shaky United defence and unleash a few shots at the troubled David De Gea to get their confidence rolling.

The Red Devils controlled the first half with an air of practised ease and attacked the opposition rearguard at will. The 39-year old Giggs led the way, ripping the Cottagers’ defence to shreds with his incisive passing and crossing. Rooney nearly doubled United’s lead on 21 minutes, being put through by a low cross from Nani, but saw his shot miraculously saved by Schwarzer and then ricocheted off the crossbar.

United should have had another penalty after Damien Duff clearly handled the ball to prevent Patrice Evra from leaping on to a delivery from Giggs, but to the astonishment of the crowd and the home team, Mark Clattenburg didn’t point to the spot. Rooney and Nani had a few more chances to double United’s lead before half-time, but were unable to do so.

Second Half

Fulham had survived the first-half onslaught, but that was more due to United seemingly not being interested in finishing the game off and let the game take it’s natural course. Three minutes into the second half, Rooney, who was eager to prove his form after missing numerous games due to injuries, scored a wonderful goal after being sumptuously set up by Anderson. He beat Hughes, who was having a torrid time, and unleashed a wicked shot past Schwarzer to double United’s lead.

Rooney had been at the centre of everything good about United alongside Giggs, and deserved his goal. The match seemed to be over as a contest, and it was confirmed three minutes later when Chicharito scored a simple predatory goal from the six-yard box after Nani and Rooney just walked past the opposing defence like they were ghosts. Schwarzer could do nothing about it, and you can be damn sure that he would’ve given the back four a piece of his mind after the torrid 90 minutes his side faced, with the choicest words reserved for the clueless Brede Hangeland.

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – JANUARY 26: Javier Hernandez of Manchester United celebrates scoring his team’s third goal with team-mate Wayne Rooney during the FA Cup Fourth Round match between Manchester United and Fulham at Old Trafford

The game was reduced to a mere formality after that, with Fulham just waiting for the clock to wind down, and United played the game at granny pace. Fulham again had a few good spots of possession, with the likes of Duff and Berbatov trying to make something happen. Bryan Ruiz was the biggest culprit upfront for the visitors, because despite constantly finding himself in good positions, he wasted nearly every single chance that came his way.

Chicharito would score another mind-blowingly easy goal, and it seemed certain that the Devils might hit seven or eight goals. The concept of conserving energy for the gruelling fixture schedule ahead prevented them further humiliating the struggling Londoners, who ultimately had a consolation from Hughes, who would love to forget the outing immediately.

Conclusion

Given the recent track record of their opponents, a United victory was never in doubt; but nobody expected it to be this easy. A routine victory heading into the mid-week clash against Southampton. Sir Alex would be pleased with Rooney’s display, and desperately needs him to be in top form with the clash against Real Madrid looming in sight. United are in the quarter-finals now, and the competition is getting more exciting as Ferguson looks to claim United’s first FA Cup trophy in nearly a decade.