Manchester United 2-0 Derby County: Three Things We Learned

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Manchester United progressed to FA Cup fourth round after beating Derby County 2-0 at Old Trafford on Friday night. Jesse Lingard and Romelu Lukaku scored late on to make sure United won comfortably. Jose Mourinho’s team did not play at their best, but managed to find a way in final ten minutes to beat the Championship side.

Mourinho did not want to change too many things for this match, though he did opt for a 4-1-4-1 formation, in order to accommodate having both Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Paul Pogba in central offensive areas of the pitch. Victor Lindelof played at right-back, while Daley Blind went back to centre-back. In goal was Sergio Romero, with Ander Herrera sitting in front of the back four.

Jesse Lingard Keeps On Giving

What else could we say about him that has not been said in the past month or so. Another game and another goal from Lingard. And like many of his previous ones, this one was a beauty as well. Lingard struck the ball from less than 20 yards out and the ball went in just next to the post of Derby’s goal, making it look even more beautiful.

Lingard has now scored in three different competitions for United while he could do improve that next month when Manchester United visit Sevilla’s Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan. Not only has the Englishman scored as many goals this season as he did in the previous two, but he had a great overall performance. Lingard created two chances for his team-mates, completed two dribbles and even won six out of eight duels. A great overall display.

Henrikh Mkhitaryan Will Not Be Stay At Manchester United For Much Longer

Unfortunately, things are not going well for the Armenian playmaker. He started the current season in incredible form, creating five goals for his teammates in just three matches. Yet, ever since he has not looked anywhere near those levels. On Friday, Mourinho even substituted him at half-time. In those 45 minutes, Mkhitaryan did not show much that strengthen his case.

He has been out of favour in previous months and is now only a matter of time when he will leave United, not if. Mourinho has obviously lost patience and it remains to be seen if Mkhitaryan could leave this January. Manchester United definitely want to find a replacement if he is to actually leave and that is always harder during winter. It is also a World Cup year, which means top class players will be less eager to change clubs now.

Gary Rowett Does Good Job At Derby

The 43-year old might not be leading his team into fourth round of FA Cup, but he is doing a very good job. His team looked organized in solid against the second-placed team of Premier League. Ever since taking over the dugout in March 2017, Rowett has been improving Derby. They are currently sitting in second, the spot that brings direct promotion to the top tier of English football.

Season is long and his Derby side will stumble upon plenty of new challenges. It will not be easy, but for now everything goes well for them. Rowett has done a good job at Birmingham previously as well, before bizarrely getting sacked in 2016.

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