FA Cup
26 January, 2013
Manchester United
David De Gea
1
Rafael
2
Phil Jones
4
Chris Smalling
12
Patrice Evra
3
Anderson
8
Michael Carrick
16
Ryan Giggs
11
Wayne Rooney
10
Nani
17
Javier Hernández
14
Substitutes
Antonio Valencia
7
Paul Scholes
22
Shinji Kagawa
26
Rio Ferdinand
5
Robin Van Persie
20
Anders Lindegaard
13
Danny Welbeck
19
Fulham
1
Mark Schwarzer
27
Sascha Riether
5
Brede Hangeland
18
Aaron Hughes
3
John Arne Riise
16
Damien Duff
7
Steve Sidwell
6
Chris Baird
31
Alex Kacaniklic
11
Bryan Ruiz
9
Dimitar Berbatov
Substitutes
14
Giorgos Karagounis
20
Hugo Rodallega
24
Ashkan Dejagah
4
Philippe Senderos
10
Mladen Petric
17
Matthew Briggs
38
Neil Etheridge
Referee: Mark Clattenburg
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The FA Cup is well-known around the globe for giant-killings and surprise results, but the result of this evening's fixture was as expected as they come. Fulham, woeful on the road, arrived at Old Trafford in hope rather than expectation and any lingering dreams of progression were dealt a huge blow in the opening minutes. Aaron Hughes handled in the box to give Manchester United a headstart; Ryan Giggs gratefully tucked away the penalty. Somehow, the Cottagers kept United to a single goal in the first half but Wayne Rooney's 50th minute drive ended the game as a contest. Javier Hernandez added two more goals later in the half, and even though Aaron Hughes scored a consolation goal for the visitors, Fulham were well beaten. Sir Alex Ferguson's men march on in the FA Cup but Martin Jol and his team must now ensure they don't get sucked into a Premier League relegation battle.
Nani nearly grabs a fifth for Manchester United at the death but his shot whizzes wide, Mark Clattenburg blows his whistle and it's all over. United are through to the next round of the FA Cup with a 4-1 win over Fulham.
The officials have mercy on Fulham, adding on just two minutes of stoppage time. Both sides will be eager for this one to end. In truth, it has been over for a long time.
Fulham are still trying to claw another goal back as Huge Rodallega slashes wide from the edge of the United penalty area. In all fairness though, a second Cottagers goal wouldn't give justice to how poor they have been throughout this match.
It looks like Wayne Rooney makes it five for Manchester United after a flowing team move but Mark Clattenburg had already blown for a foul by Javier Hernandez. It looks to be a very harsh decision and denies United what would have been an outrageous team goal.
United have been excellent today, even without the influence of Robin van Persie. On this form, the chances of Sir Alex Ferguson's men winning their first FA Cup trophy since 2004 look very good indeed.
Giorgos Karagounis whips in an excellent corner kick which Aaron Hughes meets at the near post. His header is well-directed and beats David De Gea but it gives Fulham no more than a consolation goal.
Fulham have a goal! Aaron Hughes makes it 4-1!
Both sides are just going through the motions now - the outcome of this match is not in doubt. Javier Hernandez still has something to play for though - his first Manchester United hat-trick - but his curling effort from 25 yards is high and not very handsome.
As if Fulham haven't suffered enough, Manchester United now have the luxury of turning to their bench, where Antonio Valencia and Shinji Kagawa are waiting to come on. The duo enter the pitch in place of Ryan Giggs and Anderson. Meanwhile Ashkan Dejagah is on for Fulham with Bryan Ruiz making way.
Javier Hernandez picks the ball up on the left hand side of the Fulham penalty area and cuts back inside before taking aim at goal. His shot deflects off the leg of Aaron Hughes, deceiving Mark Schwarzer and taking the ball into the back of the net at his near post. Fulham are being destroyed now.
And there's another goal! Javier Hernandez makes it 4-0!
United are now happy to sit back and exploit Fulham on the counter attack. Anderson has the chance to set Ryan Giggs away, and the Welshman would have been in on goal, but his pass was inaccurate and cut out by Sascha Riether.
The withdrawal of Michael Carrick by Sir Alex Ferguson is proof that he believes that his side have wrapped up this game now. It's hard to argue with that - Fulham are yet to test the under-fire David De Gea.
Both sides are choosing to make changes on the hour mark. Manchester United replace Michael Carrick with Paul Scholes while Fulham call on Hugo Rodallega in place of Damien Duff.
Dimitar Berbatov is a forlorn figure at the spearhead of Fulham's attack. He's had very little service so far today and is becoming extremely frustrated with his team mates. In truth, Fulham have lacked an incisiveness in behind the Manchester United defence - and Martin Jol may turn to Hugo Rodallega sooner rather than later.
United are running riot now. Another counter attack from the hosts sees first Nani and then Wayne Rooney have shots blocked before the ball eventually fell to Javier Hernandez who hooked the ball into the goal from eight yards out. That is game over.
And that's 3-0! Javier Hernandez for the hosts!
Anderson is in acres of space in the Manchester United midfield and can pick out the run of Wayne Rooney. Just outside the Fulham box, he is being monitored closely by two Fulham defenders. He takes his time though, working the ball into the box before striking powerfully past Mark Schwarzer at the near post.
Wayne Rooney doubles Manchester United's lead! 2-0!
Fulham have Aaron Hughes to thank as they avoid going two goals down. Nani had John Arne Riise in all kinds of trouble inside the penalty area before giving the ball to Wayne Rooney. His shot looked destined to nestle in the back of the net but Hughes was in the way to block the ball on the line.
Fulham get an early chance as Dimitar Berbatov gets on the end of an Alex Kacaniklic cross. However, the Bulgarian scuffs his shot and United clear.
We're back underway at Old Trafford. Manchester United, unsurprisingly, make no changes but Martin Jol does - Giorgos Karagounis is on for Chris Baird.
Having not won at Old Trafford since 2003, Fulham will have been hoping to contain Manchester United in the opening exchanges. However, Aaron Hughes' inexplicable handball from a United corner kick put his side up against it in the early minutes. Ryan Giggs tucked away the resulting spot kick and the hosts seized the initiative. Despite plenty of probing from Sir Alex Ferguson's men, and another strong penalty appeal, the gap is just one goal at half-time. As dominated as his side were in that half, Martin Jol will take solace from United's inability to stretch their lead. He needs to make changes but Fulham are still firmly in this cup tie.
Slack play from Manchester United inside their own box gives Fulham a corner kick late in the second half but they can't make anything of it. Mark Clattenburg blows his whistle to bring the curtain down on this first half with Manchester United leading Fulham by a single goal.
Nani puts in a much better delivery moments later after side-stepping a John Arne Riise tackle, but no Manchester United player can get on the end of it.
Nani has been rather wasteful for Manchester United so far. In fact, he may have failed to execute a single accurate cross. The Old Trafford crowd seem to have picked up on this and are venting their anger at the Portuguese winger.
Manchester United are in full control but Sir Alex Ferguson would like a second goal to give his side a cushion. The hosts look dangerous as ever on the counter attack but Fulham have done well to keep the deficit to just one goal so far.
The Fulham midfield seems to part like the Red Sea, allowing Anderson to advance through the middle of the pitch. His ball in to Wayne Rooney is good but Rooney fails to control it and the chance goes.
There's got to be more goals in this game. Sascha Riether strides forward from right back for Fulham and lets fly from 30 yards. David De Gea sprawls across his goal but the ball narrowly shaves the outside of his right post.
That is Manchester United at their fluid best. A great team move ends in Ryan Giggs crossing for Wayne Rooney, whose shot at the near post is parried behind by Mark Schwarzer.
Fulham exhibit some attractive build-up play but Alexander Kacaniklic strays offside from Bryan Ruiz's pass. Regardless, the Swedish winger's cross was straight into the arms of David De Gea.
Fulham just aren't getting close enough to the hosts at the moment as Wayne Rooney becomes the latest player to find space just in front of the Cottagers' defence. He turns and strikes at goal but the direction of the shot means it doesn't give Mark Schwarzer too much bother.
Nani is the latest United player to take aim at Mark Schwarzer's goal but his shot from the edge of the area is easily saved by the Australian. Seconds later, the winger has another opportunity and attempts to bend the ball inside Schwarzer's left post but he just misjudges the shot which dips wide.
Wayne Rooney nearly doubles United's lead after a Nani pull-back but Mark Schwarzer deflects the ball onto the bar before Aaron Hughes clears.
Manchester United have another huge shout for a handball after Damien Duff appears to handle the ball inside the area. This time, though, Mark Clattenburg says no.
Manchester United have a half-chance when Nani gets the better of John Arne Riise on the right side of the Fulham penalty box but his near post drive is safely gathered by Mark Schwarzer.
Damien Duff twists on the left side of United's penalty area before chipping the ball towards the back post, but there's too much power on his delivery and the ball loops out of play.
The Cottagers enjoy a spell of possession inside the Manchester United half and you feel that that is just what they need to settle themselves down. Alex Kacaniklic nearly races onto a through ball but Chris Smalling opts for the safe option of putting the ball into touch.
Fulham's first attack of the game is promising as Sascha Riether puts a fantastic, teasing cross in from the right flank. Unfortunately for the Cottagers, Dimitar Berbatov is the only man in the United area and he can't get near the ball.
What a dreadful start for Fulham. Steven Sidwell's sloppiness led to the conceding of the corner kick and then Aaron Hughes' inexplicable handball gave United an ideal chance to make the Cottagers pay. United look hungry for more as Wayne Rooney has a shot blocked on the edge of the visitors' area.
Ryan Giggs makes no mistake from the spot and Manchester United have the lead at Old Trafford.
It's a penalty to Manchester United after Aaron Hughes handles a Wayne Rooney corner. There are few complaints from Fulham.
Manchester United nearly take an early lead. Steven Sidwell gives the ball away inside his own half and Wayne Rooney almost takes full advantage but is crowded out inside the penalty area.
Mark Clattenburg gets this fourth round clash underway. This fixture has been kind to Manchester United in recent years but can Fulham cause an unlikely cup shock?
Mark Schwarzer, Sascha Riether, Aaron Hughes, Brede Hangeland, John Arne Riise, Damien Duff, Steve Sidwell, Chris Baird, Alexander Kacaniklic, Bryan Ruiz, Dimitar Berbatov. Bench: Neil Etheridge, Phillipe Senderos, Mladen Petric, Giorgos Karagounis, Matthew Briggs, Hugo Rodallega, Ashkan Dejagah.
David De Gea, Rafael, Phil Jones, Chris Smalling, Patrice Evra, Nani, Michael Carrick, Anderson, Ryan Giggs, Wayne Rooney, Javier Hernandez. Bench: Anders Lindegaard, Rio Ferdinand, Antonio Valencia, Danny Welbeck, Robin van Persie, Paul Scholes, Shinji Kagawa.
Referee Mark Clattenburg will be in charge of this evening's match. Fulham have had three games refereed by Clattenburg this season and failed to win any of them. Manchester United's only match in which he officiated was their controversy-laden 3-2 win at Chelsea in October, where Clattenburg himself was accused, and subsequently cleared, of racially abusing Chelsea's John Obi Mikel.
Fulham midfielder Kieran Richardson will be bitterly disappointed to miss the game against his former employers after picking up a calf injury. Kerim Frei, Mahamadou Diarra and Simon Davies are all still on the sidelines and remain some time away from any potential comeback. Striker Dimitar Berbatov should start against his ex-teammates alongside Bryan Ruiz.
Sir Alex Ferguson can't call upon the services of winger Ashley Young as he has a knee injury, while Jonny Evans is also unavailable due to a hamstring problem. Darren Fletcher is out for the season as he continues his battle with chronic bowel disease. After his mistake against Tottenham last weekend, United could drop David De Gea in favour of Anders Lindegaard while Nani, Anderson and Shinji Kagawa may all be handed starts.
We are told that anything can happen in the FA Cup but, in truth, it's hard to look past Manchester United for this game. The home side are currently on a ten-match unbeaten run in all competitions and possess a convincing record in past matches against Fulham at Old Trafford. Out of 36 matches, Fulham have won just twice - the last time being in 2003 when Junichi Inamoto's goal helped seal a 3-1 win. But since then, United have won in all nine meetings and are strong favourites to keep that run going in pursuit of their first FA Cup trophy since 2004.