Man United gives Cambridge a footballing lesson in FA Cup

MANCHESTER: Juan Mata, Marcos Rojo and James Wilsons goals gave
Manchester United a comfortable 3-0 home win over fourth-tier minnows
Cambridge United in their FA Cup fourth-round replay.

United, fielding a side that cost 231 million to assemble, survived an

early scare against a Cambridge line-up that had not cost a single pound
when Tom Elliott shot against the post in the first minute.

But first-half goals from Mata and Rojo put Louis van Gaals side in control
before Wilson added a third to rubber-stamp a win that sets up a fifthround trip to Preston North End, who beat Sheffield United 3-1.

Elliott found himself clean through on goal with just 45 seconds on the
clock after an error by Daley Blind, who played the ball directly through to
the former Leeds United trainee.

Elliott showed poise to steady himself and advance, but could only steer
the ball against the right-hand post as diving United goalkeeper David de
Gea looked on aghast.

It was hard not to imagine that would be Cambridges best chance and
although the hosts had started slowly, they took a 25th-minute lead
through Mata.

Angel di Marias left-wing cross was headed down at the back post by
Marouane Fellaini and Mata was on hand to flick the ball into the roof of
the net from close range.

Seven minutes later, Rojo doubled the lead after Fellainis shot was
blocked and the rebound spun kindly for Robin van Persie.

The Dutch international chipped in a cross for Rojo, who made no mistake
with a strong header from six yards out to claim his first goal for the club
since joining from Sporting Lisbon last year.

Either side of that second goal, Paddy McNairs ferocious drive had been
deflected wide and a 20-yard strike from Di Maria had sailed just over.

But their League Two opponents refused to be over-awed by the occasion

and their 6,500 supporters, many of whom had been stranded in a
motorway traffic jam, forcing the kick-off to be delayed by 20 minutes,
remained in defiant voice.

The replay generated an estimated 1 million for Cambridge, which

chairman Dave Doggett mischievously suggested would be invested in
new lavatories at their Abbey Stadium home, scene of the 0-0 draw in the
teams first encounter.

But they had Old Trafford experience in their ranks in the shape of former
United winger Luke Chadwick and showed their desire to make a game of
it when Ryan Donaldson shot wide before the interval.

The second half quickly settled into a pattern of relentless United attacks
as the Premier Leagues third-place side coasted towards the fifth round.

Van Persie spurned four decent chances, while Cambridge goalkeeper

Chris Dunn saved from Wayne Rooney and Di Maria, before substitute
Wilson found the bottom-right corner in the 73rd minute to seal victory.

Sheffield United, who recently lost to Tottenham Hotspur in the League

Cup semi-finals, took a 38th-minute lead at home to Preston through Jamie
Murphys low shot.

But Preston scored three times in 10 second-half minutes, with Paul

Gallagher claiming a brace and Paul Huntington also finding the net, to
earn themselves a glamour tie with Van Gaals side.

In the nights other game, Sunderland came from behind to win 3-1 at
second-tier Fulham, setting up a fifth-round trip to third-division Bradford
City, conquerors of Chelsea in round four.--AFP