PLENTY TO ENCOURAGE HOPE FOR REST OF SEASON

Got the ball trapped under his feet before United broke for their second, but had a good day in the heart of midfield Substitutes Tommy Smith Solid enough after his introduction - 6 Scott Malone Got forward well and caused problems down the left - 7 Abdelhamid Sabiri

- Headed one chance over, but didn’t have long enough to get into the game 6 TOWN were knocked out of the FA Cup at the fifth-round stage by Manchester United.

Romelu Lukaku netted a brace for the visitors and was the difference between the sides.

Town were impressive against the Premier League giants despite the result and may feel slightly hard done by with the loss.

Head coach David Wagner made four changes to the side that claimed a vital league win over AFC Bournemouth, with the injured Aaron Mooy and cup-tied Alex Pritchard being replaced by Philip Billing and Collin Quaner.

Danny Williams was selected over Jonathan Hogg to partner the big Dane in the centre of the park, while Terence Kongolo was preferred to Scott Malone at left back.

Wagner’s selection was a positive one, with the boss opting for the tried and trusted 4-2-3-1 system over the 4-3-3 utilised against United in the Premier League fixture at the John Smith’s Stadium back in October.

Although Town started well in the opening two minutes – with Quaner going close with a crossshot from the right of the area – the positive team selection allowed the visitors to take the lead after just three minutes.

Juan Mata released Lukaku down the middle of the pitch, with the Belgian forward being matched stride for stride by the skipper on the day Christopher Schindler.

The former Everton man was too tricky for Schindler, however, and cut inside the centre half on to his weaker right foot before slipping the ball past Jonas Lossl at his near post.

Despite the setback, the Town response was immediate and the Terriers flooded forward, pouring the pressure on Jose Mourinho’s men.

Tom Ince went close in a half the Terriers dominated with an effort rolled across the six yard line – just the wrong side of the post for the winger and just out of reach of the onrushing Mathias Jorgensen at the back post.

Florent Hadergjonaj and Quaner also brought saves out of stand-in United keeper Sergio Romero, who gathered the Swiss’ left-footed shot and tipped over the former Union Berlin man’s cross from the right.

United had brief spells of pressure in the first 45 minutes, but converted with their only real sight of goal.

Town on the other hand continued to create chances, with van La Parra’s looping header and Williams’ dribbling effort falling into the hands of Romero.

Ince went closer than any when he almost latched on to the impressive Hadergjonaj’s low