United send Rams packing

15 February 2009 16:09
Manchester United booked their place in the FA Cup quarter-finals on Sunday with a comfortable 4-1 win away at Derby County.[LNB] Goals from Nani, Darron Gibson, Cristiano Ronaldo and Danny Welbeck ensured that a Miles Addison header was nothing more than a consolation for the hosts.[LNB]The Rams were able to contain the Premier League leaders for almost half-an-hour before the deadlock was broken.[LNB]Both sides had spurned good opportunities by that stage, but there was to be no stopping a 20-yard thunderbolt from Nani.[LNB]In an almost exact replica of the goal he scored against Derby in the second leg of their Carling Cup semi-final meeting last month, the Portuguese winger drifted in from the flank before firing an unstoppable effort into the top corner.[LNB]That lead was then doubled a minute before the interval when a Ronaldo free-kick broke kindly for Gibson to steer a controlled volley past the stranded Stephen Bywater.[LNB]The result was put beyond doubt three minutes into the second period when Ronaldo rose highest to meet a Ryan Giggs corner and power a header into the back of the net.[LNB]Derby did snatch a lifeline when Addison glanced home a Kris Commons cross on 56 minutes, but they were ultimately unable to give the Red Devils a scare by forcing a further breakthrough.[LNB]It was therefore left to substitute Welbeck to round off the scoring nine minutes from time as he curled a sumptuous fourth past Bywater's outstretched hand.[LNB]ReactionBywater was twice called upon to keep the visitors out during the opening exchanges, first denying Nani with a low save, then pulling off an amazing reaction effort to repel Park Ji-sung.[LNB]But it was already pretty obvious Derby needed an unexpected turn of events to emerge victorious and once referee Alan Wiley had rejected Rob Hulse's claims for a penalty when he went down under Rio Ferdinand's challenge, it was always unlikely to come.[LNB]Nani seems to have lost his way a little in his second season at Old Trafford, yet he remains capable of those moments of genius for which compatriot Ronaldo is so famed.[LNB]And, when he collected Giggs' square pass and raced across the penalty area, the fierce 20-yard shot that followed was nothing out of character as it left Bywater with no chance.[LNB]One Kris Commons free-kick that tested Ben Foster was about all Derby could manage in response before a bizarre period followed in which United were denied a goal that should have been allowed, and given one that should have been ruled out.[LNB]Ronaldo's celebrations were cut short by a very late flag after he raced clear and slotted the ball past Bywater. [LNB]The officials needed to confer before acknowledging Giggs had flicked Ben Foster's long throw through to the Portuguese superstar.[LNB]Sir Alex Ferguson was not happy, making his feelings known to fourth official Rob Styles in no uncertain manner.[LNB]Fortunately, United's grumbles did not last too long, although how Rafael was not ruled to be offside as he ran straight in front of Bywater as Gibson volleyed in was a mystery.[LNB]ElaborateAny lingering doubt over who would be in the last eight was removed within three minutes of the restart.[LNB]Giggs was again the provider, this time in routine fashion with a near-post corner which Ronaldo powered home, his elaborate celebration suggesting his 15th goal of the campaign should have come earlier.[LNB]To all intents and purposes, it was game over, even if Miles Addison guided home a header to pull one back for Derby almost immediately.[LNB]Ronaldo spurned a couple of chances to add to his tally, with Darren Fletcher failing to profit from a rebound.[LNB]Enthusiastically Derby pressed forward in reply, Gary Teale bringing an excellent save out of Foster, who was handed a rare start ahead of record-breaking Edwin van der Sar.[LNB]But United were too good, with Giggs in particular truly majestic.[LNB]At 35, with a barrow-load of trophies already, it could be argued the former Wales skipper is playing more consistently well than at any stage of his career.[LNB]It still rankles with Ferguson that in the 1999 treble-winning season, Giggs, along with the remainder of United's squad, was overlooked for all the major individual prizes in favour of David Ginola.[LNB]He further enhanced his credentials for this season's player prizes by playing a role in Welbeck's late effort.[LNB][LNB][LNB]Derby County[LNB]Team Statistics[LNB]Manchester United[LNB] [LNB][LNB][LNB]1[LNB]Goals[LNB]4[LNB] [LNB][LNB][LNB]0[LNB]1st Half Goals[LNB]2[LNB] [LNB][LNB][LNB]3[LNB]Shots on Target[LNB]8[LNB] [LNB][LNB][LNB]7[LNB]Shots off Target[LNB]3[LNB] [LNB][LNB][LNB]1[LNB]Blocked Shots[LNB]8[LNB] [LNB][LNB][LNB]3[LNB]Corners[LNB]5[LNB] [LNB][LNB][LNB]12[LNB]Fouls[LNB]11[LNB] [LNB][LNB][LNB]3[LNB]Offsides[LNB]5[LNB] [LNB][LNB][LNB]1[LNB]Yellow Cards[LNB]0[LNB] [LNB][LNB][LNB]0[LNB]Red Cards[LNB]0[LNB] [LNB][LNB][LNB]62.9[LNB]Passing Success[LNB]79.6[LNB] [LNB][LNB][LNB]14[LNB]Tackles[LNB]23[LNB] [LNB][LNB][LNB]64.3[LNB]Tackles Success[LNB]73.9[LNB] [LNB][LNB][LNB]33.9[LNB]Possession[LNB]66.1[LNB] [LNB][LNB][LNB]51.9[LNB]Territorial Advantage[LNB]48.1[LNB] [LNB][LNB][LNB][LNB][LNB][LNB]

Source: SKY_Sports