MANCHESTER UNITED showed there is actually some character within their squad as they banished fears of an embarrassing FA Cup humbling within 45 emphatic minutes.
Tricky League One opponents with nothing to lose on a pudding of a pitch had conjured up thoughts of a major upset against Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s stuttering side.
Manchester United stormed into the fifth round of the FA CupCredit: PA:Empics Sport
And for five brief minutes at the start when Tranmere launched forward searching for a breakthrough you sensed United might be in for a difficult afternoon.
But instead of wilting under the pressure, the men from Old Trafford stood up to be counted and three goals in the space of 360 seconds meant the tie was over by the 16 minute mark.
Harry Maguire led from the front by opening the scoring in the tenth minute as he strode forward and unleashed a thunderbolt into the top corner from 25-yards.
It was a goal of real quality, and swiftly followed by another as United put the idea you couldn’t play good football on the poor surface to bed when Diogo Dalot exchanged passes with Anthony Martial before lashing into the bottom corner.
By the time 16 minutes were on the clock it was three for Solskjaer’s men as Maguire fed Lingard to cut inside and pick his spot with a shot into the top right corner for another quality finish.
Harry Maguire’s wonderstrike from range opened the scoringCredit: Getty Images – Getty
The world’s most expensive defender celebrates his first United goalCredit: Reuters
Diogo Dalot made it 2-0 shortly after Maguire opened the leadCredit: Getty Images – Getty
United stars rush to Dalot after the defender’s goalCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Tranmere came from three goals down to come through against Premier League opposition in the last round in the shape of Watford, but there was to be no repeat for Micky Mellon’s side.
Instead they feel further behind in the 40th minute when Phil Jones climbed high at the far post to power a header back into the opposite corner.
And just before the break it was Martial’s turn to get in on the act, finding the identical spot in the top right corner Lingard had done to score the fifth.
United had managed five shots on target in the first half and scored with all of them as they gave Tranmere a lesson in quality at Prenton Park.
It meant Solskjaer was able to bring off the influential Matic and only fit striker Martial at the break to save them for the clash with Manchester City on Wednesday.
Jesse Lingard finally ended his scoring droughtCredit: Reuters
The England midfielder looked chuffed and relieved after his strikeCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Phil Jones was even on the score sheet after his looping header sailed inCredit: Rex Features
Anthony Martial bent one into the net to five United a commanding 5-0 lead at half-timeCredit: Rex Features
Frenchman Martial celebrates his goal with the game already put to bedCredit: Reuters
Fred came on for Matic while Tahith Chong replaced Martial – and within ten minutes of the restart the youngster was heavily involved in United scoring a sixth.
Lingard’s shot from the edge of the area deflected down into the path of Chong who reacted sharply to tap the ball round keeper Scott Davies who then clattered into the United forward to concede a penalty.
For a short while Lingard motioned to take the spot-kick but it was Mason Greenwood who took responsibility to convert.
Mason Greenwood finally got his goal after converting a penaltyCredit: Getty Images – Getty
United scored six goal for the first time since Sir Alex Ferguson’s departureCredit: Reuters
United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer finally had a reason to grin in the dugoutCredit: Rex Features
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
