United are clinical, Hull comical and Watford diabolical in a mixed day of FA Cup action for the Premier League. At least The Tigers’ elimination guaranteed a third Gameweek 28 fixture, with their meeting with Swansea City now preserved.
Manchester United 4 Wigan 0
Two versions of the same side helped Manchester United to an emphatic FA Cup fourth round win at Old Trafford.
A patient and methodical Red Devils wore down well-organised Wigan in the first half before a clinical and razor sharp outfit exploited the visitors’ search for an equaliser to take them to the cleaners after the break.
Jose Mourinho has such a strong squad at his disposal that he could make nine changes to the team who lost the match but won the tie in the EFL Cup semi-final at Hull City and still field a top class unit.
Paul Pogba got the day off while Zlatan Ibrahimovic spent it on the bench and it took United close to half-time before they finally broke Wigan’s spirited resistance, Marouane Fellaini heading in from a Bastian Schweinsteiger cross.
It was the German’s first start for a year and he made the most of it, rounding off a fine performance by scoring with an overhead flick from close range.
The tie was already won by then, thanks to a Chris Smalling header from an Anthony Martial cross and a superb fast break involving Martial again, who laid on a perfect pass for the impressive Henrik Mkhitaryan to score.
Luke Shaw started and played the full 90 minutes for the first time since the end of November as Mourinho worked his squad, giving debuts to substitutes Joel Pereira and Axel Tuanzebe without needing to risk centre-half Eric Bailly so soon after his return from the Africa Cup of Nations.
United look strong and confident and their league fixtures all the way through to mid-April practically demand Fantasy investment in their players.
But they will already miss Gameweek 26 to play in the EFL Cup final and should they make the FA Cup quarter-finals, their Gameweek 28 fixture at Southampton will also be postponed and re-arranged.
With the Europa League Round of 32 returning in mid-February, that mix of blanks and the inevitable squad rotation that comes with involvement in four competitions takes much of the shine off their kindly schedule.
Manchester United XI: Romero (J.Pereira 80), Fosu-Mensah (Tuanzebe 68), Smalling, Rojo, Shaw, Fellaini (Herrera 70), Schweinsteiger, Mkhitaryan, Mata, Martial, Rooney.
Subs not used: Blind, Young, Ibrahimovic, Rashford.
Fulham 4 Hull City
Another day, another cup exit for Hull, but this one involved neither guts nor glory, just an abject performance against a side they could end up playing in the league next season.
Just how bad the Tigers were was epitomised by striker Abel Hernandez, who contrived to miss two penalties in a minute for the visitors.
The Uruguayan had his first spot kick saved by Marcus Bettinelli, only for the Fulham keeper to bring down Hernandez from the rebound. The forward then saw his second effort saved as well.
At least Hull’s exit from the cup guarantees another Gameweek 28 fixture, with the Tigers hosting Swansea City in a potential relegation six-pointer on March 11. That match joins Everton vs West Brom and Bournemouth vs West Ham as the only guaranteed fixtures of the Gameweek so far.
A bad day in London was particularly miserable for Curtis Davies, who returned from injury to captain the side but lasted just ten minutes before suffering a hamstring issue that could sideline him once again.
Lazar Markovic made his first start, while another new signing, Evandro, equalised from an Andrew Robertson cross for his first Hull goal as they briefly threatened to make a game of it at Craven Cottage.
Parity lasted a mere five minutes before Fulham regained the lead and then ran away with the tie.
Conceding four times was no doubt chastening for Hull keeper Eldin Jakupovic, but his 20.4% ownership base would have been pleased to see him back in the side after he was dropped for the first time under Marco Silva for the EFL Cup semi-final tie against Man United.
That was about as good as it got on a day to forget in a hurry for Hull.
Hull City XI: Jakupovic, Robertson, Davies (Maguire 10), Meyler (Niasse 62), Huddlestone, Clucas, Elabdellaoui, Diomande, Evandro (Tymon 74), Markovic, Hernandez.
Subs not used: Marshall, Maloney, Weir, Bowen.
Millwall 1 Watford 0
A late winner dumped Watford out of the FA Cup which, judging by the team picked by Walter Mazzarri, suited him just fine.
The Italian made seven changes from the team who drew at Bournemouth in a bid, presumably, to concentrate on improving a poor run of league form that has seen them win just once in ten matches.
His selection of various fringe players certainly scrapped against a feisty Millwall side, but they lacked both quality and a cutting edge, managing only a single shot on target.
New striker Mauro Zarate was unavailable because of a suspension carried over from previous club Fiorentina, while defender Jose Holebas began a two-match suspension following his 10th yellow card of the season.
With Watford out of the cup, they will now have to wait on the progress of Chelsea. If the Blues make the quarter-finals – and on current form it would be a major surprise if they don’t – their Gameweek 28 tie with the Hornets will be postponed.
Watford XI: Pantilimon (Gomes 42), Mariappa, Kaboul, Britos; Djédjé (Janmaat 69), Doucouré, Watson, Guedioura, Mason; Okaka, Sinclair (Deeney 77).
Subs not used: Prodl, Cathcart, Capoue, Cleverley.
