Rooney Brace Books FA Cup Spot

By David Hobbs
January 30 2005

United continued their defence of the FA Cup with a comprehensive 3-0 victory over Steve McClaren's Middlesbrough at Old Trafford courtesy of Wayne Rooney's second half romp. The Red Devils have now secured a place in the fifth round of the trophy they currently possess.

Rooney Brace Books FA Cup Spot
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Manchester United 3
O'Shea 10
Rooney 67, 82

Middlesbrough 0

Manchester United continued their defence of the FA Cup with a comprehensive 3-0 victory over Steve McClaren's Middlesbrough at Old Trafford courtesy of Wayne Rooney's second half romp. The Red Devils have now secured a place in the fifth round of the trophy they currently possess.

Irishman John O'Shea, filing the boots of fellow countryman Roy Keane in midfield, gave his side an early lead in the first half and striker Wayne Rooney spectacularly added two more later on in the game.

O'Shea was a surprise inclusion in midfield along with Phil Neville. Sir Alex Ferguson presumably wants to keep his midfield maestros Paul Scholes and Roy Keane fresh and fit for Tuesday's Premiership clash with Arsenal.

Rio Ferdinand captained the side in Keane's absence as Wayne Rooney lead a one-man attack with Ryan Giggs supporting down the left-centre.

United went ahead just ten minutes into play as John O'Shea showed striker's instinct, latching onto the ball in the box to trash home the opener. Cristiano Ronaldo's trickery helped O'Shea with the superb finish.

Middlesbrough had ample opportunities to grab an equalizer but failed to convert their chances. The best of which was Boudewijn Zenden's one-on-one with Roy Carroll, who did well to block the Dutchman's effort. Rio Ferdinand had played Zenden through with a sloppy pass and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink linked up well with his countryman.

The Red Devils had chances of their own to double or even triple their advatage. Mark Schwarzer kept Wayne Rooney's shot at bay whilst Gabriel Heinze didn't know what to do at the back post as John O'Shea flicked the ball on.

After the interval, Roy Carroll's intelligent throw allowed Cristiano Ronaldo to use his pace down the right-wing. The Portuguese midfielder picked out Ryan Giggs but an aware Schwarzer beat the Welshman to the pass. Schwarzer denied John O'Shea again soon after.

However, Schwarzer couldn't stop Wayne Rooney from attempting an audacious lob that found the back of the net sixty-seven minutes into the game. The Australian was powerless as the ball trecled into the back of his net.

Substitute Louis Saha perfectly picked out Rooney with ten minutes to play as the striker executed a pin-point volley from the edge of the area to wrap up the impressive win.

Final Score: Manchester United 3 - 0 Middlesbrough
Att: 67,251

Manchester United: Carroll, Gary Neville, Ferdinand, Brown, Heinze (Silvestre 79), Ronaldo (Miller 72), Phil Neville, O'Shea, Fortune, Giggs (Saha 65), Rooney

Middlesbrough: Schwarzer, Reiziger, Southgate, Cooper (McMahon 79), Queudrue, Morrison, Parlour, Doriva (Job 45), Zenden, Downing, Hasselbaink (Graham 83)

Refereed By: S Dunn