Manchester United Vs. Arsenal Result Report

United spectacularly banished memories of their derby defeat with a stunning 4-0 win over Arsenal to book a place in the FA Cup quarter finals.

The Reds oozed energy, class and goals to register a memorable Cup victory and, perhaps, strike a key psychological blow in the race for the title.

Wayne Rooney opened the scoring on 16 minutes before Darren Fletcher made it two four minutes later. Nani put the Reds three-up seven minutes before half-time, while Fletcher grabbed his second on 74 minutes.

Sir Alex made five changes to the side that lost to Manchester City last weekend. Rooney and Patrice Evra returned from suspension, while Ji-sung Park, Michael Carrick and Fletcher were all handed starts. Ryan Giggs, Owen Hargreaves and Cristiano Ronaldo were rested, no doubt with Wednesday’s Champions League trip to Lyon in mind.

United lined up in a 4-5-1 formation with Rooney working the line as the lone striker. Support was close at hand from Fletcher, Nani, Carrick, Park and the outstanding Anderson and it was the Brazilian who produced the Reds’ first effort on goal. With nine minutes gone, Anderson lashed a first-time volley goalwards after Evra’s attempted cross was block. The shot was on target but Arsenal goalkeeper Jens Lehmann saved well down to his right.

The Reds continued to press and both Rooney and Fletcher came close to capitalising on a stray Arsenal backpass. Luckily for the Gunners, their German stopper was alert to the situation as he sprinted from goal to clear.

Skipper for the day Rio Ferdinand had remarked in the matchday programme how the Reds were determined to banish the memories of last weekend’s derby defeat and they duly did that after just 16 minutes.

Arsenal failed to clear Nani’s left wing corner, allowing Anderson the chance to head the ball back into the danger area. It fell to the unmarked Rooney who duly headed past Lehmann from five yards. It was only his third ever headed Reds goal – the first came against the Gunners in the 2-1 defeat at the Emirates last season.

There was a real zip to United’s play, a feature that had been devoid throughout the City game. Much was made of Rooney’s absence last weekend and how it contrived to United’s downfall and on this showing it seemed a plausible argument.

Having opened the scoring, Rooney played his part in United’s second, which arrived on 20 minutes. The striker picked up possession in midfield and laid the ball off to Anderson, who fed Nani down the left. The Portuguese winger twisted and turned before reaching the goal-line and clipping an inch-perfect cross to Fletcher, who headed home via a slight deflection off William Gallas.

It was the Scot’s first goal of the campaign in only his seventh start of the season. It was nothing more than he deserved, however, after a superb first half display full of endeavour.

Rooney went close to making it three just after the half-hour when Evra sent Lehmann’s poor goal kick into Rooney’s path. Unfortunately the 22-year-old dragged his shot wide and did the same again a minute later.

after brilliant work from Fletcher.

The electric atmosphere inside Old Trafford – earlier buoyed by news of Liverpool’s FA Cup exit – was further boosted by a third goal for the Reds seven minutes from the break. Carrick collected the ball in midfield and sent a pinpoint pass over the top to Nani. The winger kept his cool, controlling the ball well and setting himself in one movement, before firing a low left-foot drive past Lehmann.

The Reds continued where they left off after the restart. Carrick looped a pass towards Park who out-muscled Traore and fed Rooney, who took one touch before letting fly. Lehmann stood firm, however, and parried clear.

United’s lone frontman went close again shortly afterwards, this time from a free-kick. With Cristiano Ronaldo watching from the stands, United's other sharp-shooters were afforded a rare opportunity to take aim from set-pieces. Rooney’s effort, which took a slight nick off Fletcher, was well held by Lehmann.

Arsenal’s chances of somehow finding a way back into the game were all but dashed on 49 minutes when Emmanuel Eboue was dismissed for a high tackle on Evra, although replays showed the red card was rather harsh from Alan Wiley.

Rooney’s duel with Lehmann continued just after the hour when the German stopper foiled the striker once more after Anderson had slid him through on goal.

Having been under the cosh for most of the game, Arsenal registered their first real effort on 64 minutes. Even so, Eduardo’s header was always going over and Edwin van der Sar never looked troubled.

Arsene Wenger made a triple substitution six minutes later – introducing Flamini, Adebayor and Senderos – but it was too little too late. Paul Scholes and Louis Saha also entered the fray, with Rooney and Anderson given standing ovations as they trudged off the pitch.

United grabbed a fourth on 74 minutes through Fletcher. Nani, who impressed throughout, floated a cross to the back post where Fletcher was waiting to power a header past Lehmann.

As the game drew to a close, the Old Trafford faithful taunted the travelling support with chants of "You’re going out with the Scousers." More importantly, the Reds were through after a performance any opposition team would have found hard to live with. After last weekend's bad day at the office, United are well and truly back on track.

Team line-ups:

Manchester United: Van der Sar; Brown, Ferdinand (c), Vidic, Evra; Nani, Fletcher, Carrick, Park; Anderson (Scholes, 71), Rooney (Saha, 71).
Subs not used: Kuszczak, O'Shea, Tevez.

Arsenal: Lehmann; Hoyte, Gallas, Toure, Traore; Eboue, Gilberto, Fabregas (Flamini, 70); Hleb (Senderos, 70), Bendtner, Eduardo (Adebayor (70).
Subs not used: Fabianski (GK), Clichy