Former Super Eagles goal poacher Odion Ighalo literally ruined Wayne Rooney’s dream of leading Derby to an FA Cup upset against Manchester United as the Nigeria striker’s double sealed a 3-0 win in the fifth round on Thursday.
Ighalo has only been at United for a few weeks after arriving from China, but his second and third goals for the club stole the spotlight from Old Trafford icon Rooney.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side were always in control at Pride Park and Luke Shaw opened the scoring before Ighalo took over to dash Rooney’s bid to knock out his former club.
United will travel to Premier League strugglers Norwich in their sixth successive quarter-final appearance in a competition they have won 12 times.
There are six changes for United as Romero started in goal for David De Gea after his howler in the draw at Everton last weekend, while Harry Maguire was ruled out with an ankle injury.
Bruno Fernandes, the new idol for United fans, was in the team and the Portugal midfielder was starting to pull the strings.
United looked more dangerous once Fernandes heated up and Derby keeper Kelle Roos made a superb save to repel Ighalo’s shot from just six yards.
United’s pressure paid off with a fortunate opener in the 33rd minute.
Fernandes’ shot was deflected high into the air and Shaw met it with a half-volley from the edge of the area, the ball taking a wicked bounce off Jesse Lingard and looping over Roos into the net.
Shaw turned provider as United doubled their lead eight minutes later.
Advancing with intent towards the Derby area, the left-back squeezed a pass into Ighalo, who turned away from two defenders before poking his shot past Roos from six yards.
Rooney was unable to stem the tide and his response was a frustrated foul on Scott McTominay that earned him a booking.
Choosing a more palatable approach to leading the Derby fight back early in the second half, Rooney unfurled a sumptuous pass to Jayden Bogle, whose cross was headed just wide by Martyn Waghorn.
Ighalo ended any hopes of a Rooney-inspired revival in the 70th minute.
Juan Mata picked out Ighalo in the area and when the 30-year-old’s initial shot was blocked, he kept his composure to guide the rebound into the net.
In what would have been an emotional finale for Rooney, his free-kick almost crept in until Romero made a brilliant tip-over.
AFP
