Ighalo spoils Rooney’s reunion party with United
DERBY COUNT Y 0 MANCHESTER UNITED 3 FA CUP FIFTH ROUND
WAYNE ROONEY’S Manchester United reunion ended in disappointment as Odion Ighalo struck twice at Derby County to help Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side reach the FA Cup quarter-finals.
United’s all-time top scorer was the centre of attention as the Rams skipper looked to help the mid-table Championship side spring a surprise at a sold-out
Pride Park. But Derby’s bright start petered out as United’s superior quality showed through, with Luke Shaw’s second career goal complemented by January signing Ighalo’s brace in a comfortable 3-0 win.
A trip to Norwich – and sixth successive FA Cup quarter-final appearance – is the reward, having ridden an early storm as Louie Sibley fizzed wide before Sergio Romero stopped Rooney’s free-kick against the club he scored 253 goals for.
Much-changed United eventually settled and took a two-goal lead into the break, with Shaw’s volley into the ground looping over Kelle Roos before Ighalo coolly turned past the Derby goalkeeper.
The Rams’ dreams of a first quarter-final appearance since 1999 evaporated with Ighalo’s second of the night during a second half that saw the raucous away support serenade their former star Rooney.
Victory extended United’s unbeaten run to nine matches in all competitions, but Phillip Cocu’s men made it hard for the visitors early on.
Man of the match Shaw was delighted to score his second goal for United and said: “Definitely the first 15 to 20 minutes was tough. I don’t think we started as good as we can.
“Then we got the goal and I think from then on – we were still under pressure at times – but we came through that and we got the win in the end.”
Shaw took credit for the opener, which came off Lingard’s back, and added: “(Laughing) I’m claiming it, no chance. He (Lingard) can’t claim that!
“I didn’t hit it correctly, but he can’t claim that. I’m very happy, most importantly with the win and another clean sheet for the boys and hopefully there are more goals from me to come.”