Manchester United have advanced to the next round of the FA Cup, beating Yeovil Town by a score of 4-0. It was a professional performance from United, who capitalised on mistakes made from Yeovil. Rashford, Herrera, Lingard, and Lukaku scored the goals, while Alexis Sanchez was able to grab an assist on his United debut.
It was an interesting lineup put out by Mourinho. He gave new signing Alexis Sanchez the start in attempt to get him some game time before the Premier League resumes. Michael Carrick was given the captains armband as he made his first appearance of the season. McTominay and Romero were rotated in as well, as Rashford got the start at striker since Lukaku was rested.
United were woeful to start, as the poor field conditions clearly got to the players. Passes were misplaced, and no one seemed to be on the same page.
Yeovil tried to capitalise on this, and created the first chance of the match. Wonderful play down the left played Green through on goal. The winger was at a tight angle, and tried to just get a shot on target, but Romero dealt with the chance comfortably.
The home side continued to pressure, and probably should’ve scored near the 20 minute mark. A long free kick was crossed in brilliantly, and picked out the run of centre-back Sowunmi, but his header was tame, and Romero easily caught the ball.
United finally got into the game, with Alexis Sanchez serving as the catalyst. The Chilean picked up the ball on the left wing and drove inside. He found McTominay, who did well to settle and get a shot off. The Yeovil keeper was up to the task, and made the crucial save.
Yeovil won a free kick on the edge of the area, but James was only able to smash a shot right at Romero, who punched it away.
United were finally able to grab a goal five minutes before half, but were very lucky to do so. Alexis played Rashford through on goal, but it seemed that the Yeovil defence had it covered. However, they proceeded to bottle everything, allowing Rashford to get a shot a few yards from goal. He made no mistake from there, finishing the chance off to give United the lead.
Rashford almost made it 2 soon after the halftime break, as he was able to cut inisde the Yeovil penalty area. He was able to get a shot off, but it was blocked by a Yeovil defender.
Yeovil came back up the pitch, and came close to scoring. The ball was moved up the pitch down the wing, before being crossed to the back post. Surridge rose up at the back post, but the United defence were able to clear it away.
Back came United up the pitch, as Alexis linked up well with Shaw down the left. Sanchez found Shaw at the edge of the penalty area, but his shot was blocked and cleared away.
Mourinho’s side would make it two soon after. This goal came from a blistering counter attack after a Yeovil counter.
Mata brought the ball down, before laying it off to Alexis. The Chilean carried the ball up the pitch before playing in Ander Herrera, who made no mistake with the finish, smashing it to the far corner.
United thought they made it three immediately after, but the goal was called off. Darmian got the ball on the right, before smashing a low cross to the back post. Mata was there to tap it in, but he was well offside, and the goal was taken off the board.
That would be Mata’s last touch of the game, as he came off for Lukaku right after.
Alexis Sanchez then came off for Jesse Lingard. It was a promising debut from Alexis, who constantly got on the ball and created chances going forward. United fans will hope this is just the beginning.
Lingard came close to scoring seconds after coming on. He made a long diagonal run across the field, and was almost picked out by Herrera, but Lingard was just too far away from the pass to be able to get a shot off.
Lingard was involved yet again, this time playing the creator. He drove up the pitch before playing Rashford through on goal, who tried to dink a shot over the Yeovil keeper, but couldn’t finish the move off.
Exciting youngster Angel Gomes came on for Rashford.
Gomes immediately got involved, picking up the ball and dribbling down the wing. He tried to beat the keeper at the near post, but could only hit a shot into the side netting.
Lingard made it three before full time, receiving the ball from a United throw in and dribbling up the pitch. None of the Yeovil players tried to make a tackle, and Lingard ran into the area easily before firing a shot past the Yeovil keeper.
Yeovil threw more men forward, which opened them up on the counter. Rojo made the run out wide, before hitting a cross into the path of Lukaku, who volleyed it home to make it 4-0.
The 4-0 scoreline might be a bit harsh to Yeovil, who put up a fight, but United proved they were the better team with their ruthlessness in front of goal.
Manchester United’s next match is on Wednesday, as the Red Devils travel to Wembley to face Spurs in the Premier League.
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