A much-changed United side proved too strong for the challenge of League Two strugglers Yeovil as we eased to a comfortable victory and into the FA Cup fifth round. The Reds - for whom Alexis Sanchez picked up two assists and the man of the match award on his debut - maintained our perfect start to 2018 with goals from Marcus Rashford, Ander Herrera and two late strikes from substitutes Jesse Lingard and Romelu Lukaku.
United had faced the Somerset side at the third round stage of this competition in 2015 under Louis van Gaal, when the Glovers were a League One club, and travelled to Somerset again for the boss's 100th game in charge on the occasion of his 55th birthday. But United never looked in danger of one of the biggest shocks in the FA Cup's history, despite a promising start from Yeovil, the lowest ranked side left in the competition, at a packed Huish Park. Sergio Romero, one of ten changes, saved well from Jordan Green but the Reds soon settled and went close through Scott McTominay, who tested Polish stopper Artur Krysiak with a good low strike from distance. Alexis then had to weather a hefty challenge - perhaps too much so - from Nathan Smith, and the Chilean's resultant set-piece was well held by the watchful Krysiak in the Glovers goal.
Four minutes before half-time, United broke the deadlock and from then on always looked in control. Alexis was involved as his threaded pass caused a mix-up in the Yeovil defence, they failed to clear their lines and Rashford nipped in and capitalised on the confusion for his tenth of the season. The young striker joins Lukaku, Lingard and Anthony Martial (rested for this tie) on double figures for the campaign.
United started the second half as strong, if not stronger, than we had ended the first and almost put the game beyond reach five minutes after the restart when Rashford flashed a shot wide. Just after the hour mark, the tie was effectively over as a contest as Ander Herrera - who scored on that last visit here - did so again to mark his 150th United appearance with a classic counter-attack goal. Yeovil had pushed men forwards but the move broke down as Sanchez broke and picked out Herrera, who slammed home an expert finish across Krysiak to end Yeovil's lingering hopes of an almighty upset.
United looked to have moved 3-0 ahead moments later only for Juan Mata's effort to be flagged offside after a sweeping move. But the Reds were in the mood for more and continued to exert their authority on the match against a Yeovil side who had begun to tire. There was still time for Lingard - as ever - to have his say as he fired in the third after a surging run before Lukaku volleyed in the fourth in the final minute after Marcos Rojo had played him in.
17-year-old Angel Gomes was handed a brief cameo, and the teenager caught the eye as he fired into the side netting with his first involvement before he was also involved for the build up in Lukaku's goal. This was a fifth successive win for the Reds, and a sixth consecutive clean sheet, and the Reds are into round five for the fifth time in six seasons.
Overall team performance: 8/10
United Faithful Man of the Match: Alexis Sanchez. Gave the ball away a few times, but took risks, claimed two assists and stood out on an impressive debut.
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