United 4 - 1 Fulham

DDG

Rafael Jones Smalling Evra

Nani Carrick(Scholes) Anderson(Kagawa) Giggs(Valencia)

Rooney Chicharito

The 'one man team' managed to score 4 goals today, without having that one man playing. Chicharito got himself a brace, Roo scored a scorcher while Giggsy opened the score from the spot. The score might suggest it was a good United performance but, up until half time, it simply wasn't. Whatever Fergie said during the half-time break worked wonders though. United were a transformed team in the second half. 

Our defenders did ever so well today. Jones and Smalling were solid while the fullbacks didn't do much wrong. These were the only players who performed throughout the whole 90 minutes. Most of the other players woke up after the break. So during the first 45 minutes, Roo was very poor, Chicharito was inexistant and, here's a new one, Nani was frustrating. Anderson was decent. On some occasions he manages to do things that are worthy of his nationality. On other occasions he manages to fuck up a promising move. But I like him. Giggsy was definitely the best performer in the midfield/attacking department. 

The second half started and something on the verge of miraculous happened. Nani was passing the ball and getting balls into the box. He was also beating their fullback. It was the Nani of old that convinced me that he's head and shoulders better than our other wingers. Let's hope this is not a false dawn. Let's hope he really rediscovers his form. We'll need him in the title run-in. At the moment I have lost all faith I had in Valencia. Chicharito got more involved, as the scoresheet suggests, while Rooney improved his first touch and helped build up moves. I'm extremely happy for Chicha and Roo, hopefully they can go on a run now.

Plenty of positives to take out of the game but, if I'm honest, we played a woeful Fulham side today. So there's nothing to be too pompous about. 

The fifth round draw will take place tomorrow. Let's hope we don't get a tough fixture! Southampton this Wednesday. I expect a win. Dare I predict a score? 3-1.

FACTS

• Manchester United have now won their last 11 games against Fulham in all competitions at Old Trafford
• The last two times Man Utd have beaten Fulham at Old Trafford in the FA Cup, they have won the trophy (2004 & 1999).
• In his last four starts against Fulham in all competitions, Wayne Rooney has scored five goals.
• Javier Hernandez has bagged himself five goals in his last five games for Manchester United in all competitions. 
• Ryan Giggs has scored twice in his last three starts against Fulham in all competitions