Van Gaal’s men given scare
Head start for Sherwood
MANCHESTER UNITED survived an FA Cup scare to set up a mouthwatering quarter- fi nal collision with holders Arsenal.
Louis van Gaal’s side were forced to come from behind against League One Preston at Deepdale after Scott Laird had stunned them with the opening goal early in the second half. But Ander Herrera levelled before Marouane Fellaini fi nally put the visitors ahead before Wayne Rooney earned and scored a penalty – his fi rst goal in 2015.
United’s three- goal blitz in 23 minutes came after Van Gaal had sent on Ashley Young for the ineffective Radamel Falcao. After another unconvincing display against lower- league opposition, they will need to raise their game in the last eight next month. NEW Aston Villa manager Tim Sherwood has vowed to keep the club in the Premier League, saying: “At Spurs I was the supply teacher – but I’m a headmaster now.”
The 46- year- old was unveiled at Villa Park yesterday, taking up his fi rst job since he was axed by Tottenham last May. Sherwood, below, knew his reign at White Hart Lane would end long before that point and famously described himself as a supply teacher. But he says he is in it for the long haul in the Midlands, despite Villa’s position in the bottom three, after signing a three- and- a- halfyear deal to succeed Paul Lambert.
“I don’t feel I’ve got a point to prove after Spurs,” he said. TIM’S PROMISE: P54- 55