Manchester United survive scare to knock out Derby County 3-1 in FA Cup

Manchester United survived a scare from Derby County to progress to the fifth round of the FA Cup with a 3-1 win.

The first half boasted two great goals. United opened the scoring early on with a wonderful curling shot from Wayne Rooney that floated past Scott Carson into the top right corner of the net.

George Thorne’s equaliser came after he made a terrific run forward, and a good first touch and clever finish under pressure brought the hosts level.

The second half, however, saw United assert their dominance, with Daley Blind taking the ball in his stride and turning in Jesse Lingard’s cross, and Juan Mata finishing the scoring late on after great pace from Anthony Martial.

The result takes some of the immediate pressure off United manager Louis van Gaal, who surely could not have survived the ignominy had his side been knocked out of the cup by lower-league opposition. He will point to an all-round improved performance from his side as evidence that his methods can pay dividends.

Derby may feel a little aggrieved, though, after TV replays indicated that Rooney and Mata might have seen their goals disallowed for offside. They may also feel they should have had a penalty 20 minutes from time for a foul by Chris Smalling on Jason Shackell.

16’ GOAL! Well, what a magnificent goal from Wayne Rooney, on the left corner of the box, and it just curls beautifully into the top right of the net. Lovely.

37’ GOAL! And that's another great finish! George Thorne who makes a great run down the middle, terrific first touch and smart left-footed finish under pressure! Derby are level!

65’ GOAL! Another well-worked goal! Blind takes it in his stride as he runs towards the near post, and Lingard's ball from the right side of the box is buried into the net.

69’ PENALTY SHOUT FOR DERBY! Derby are shouting for a penalty as Smalling rugby tackles Shackell. There's also a high boot in there near the face of Keogh, which is already sporting that protective mask.

83’ GOAL! Oh, and that's it then. Martial leaves Christie stranded, cuts it back and Juan Mata knocks that home.

Anthony Martial assisted in two Manchester United goals for the first time.

Derby have conceded as many goals in their last three games in all competitions as they had in the previous 16.

Manchester United have won back-to-back away games in all competitions for the first time since August.

Derby might not genuinely expect the assistant referee’s naked eye to pick up marginal offsides, as United’s first and third goals may have been – but they probably would have expected someone to spot two fouls in the box with 20 minutes to go. Had they scored a penalty at that point, they may have continued to fight back.

Anthony Martial (Manchester United). Lively and pacy all evening, creating two of his side’s goals, and never tiring.

Derby County – Carson 7, Christie 8, Keogh 7, Martin 7, Shackell 6, Johnson 6, Butterfield 7, Blackman 7, Ince 6, Thorne 7, Warnock 8. Subs - Grant, Bryson, Hendrick 7, Russell 7, Baird, Camara 7, Olsson.

Manchester United - De Gea 7, Varela 8, Smalling 8, Blind 7, Borthwick-Jackson 6, Fellaini 7, Schneiderlin 6, Mata 7, Lingard 6, Martial 9, Rooney 7. Subs - Romero, McNair, Carrick, Herrera, Januzaj, Pereira, Memphis.