Wayne Rooney’s Manchester United reunion ended in disappointment as Odion Ighalo struck twice at Derby to help Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side reach the FA Cup quarter-finals.
United’s all-time top scorer was the centre of attention as the Rams skipper looked to help the mid-table Championship side spring a surprise at a sold-out Pride Park.
But Derby’s bright start petered out as United’s superior quality showed through, with Luke Shaw’s second career goal complemented by January signing Ighalo’s brace in a comfortable 3-0 win.
A trip to Norwich – and sixth successive FA Cup quarter-final appearance – is the reward, having ridden an early storm as Louie Sibley fizzed wide before Sergio Romero stopped Rooney’s free-kick against the club he scored 253 goals for.
Much-changed United eventually settled and took a two-goal lead into the break, with Shaw’s volley into the ground looping over Kelle Roos before Ighalo coolly turned past the Derby goalkeeper.
The Rams’ dreams of a first quarter-final appearance since 1999 evaporated with Ighalo’s second of the night during a second half that saw the raucous away support serenade their former star Rooney.
Victory extended United’s unbeaten run to nine matches in all competitions, but Phillip Cocu’s men made it hard for the visitors early on.
Meanwhile,
Manchester United coach Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has praised his ‘happy and confident’ striker Odion Ighalo after the new signing netted twice in a 3-0 FA Cup win at Derby.
“When you get strikers in you want them to be happy and confident,” Solskjaer told the BBC after the game.
“He has come in here and of course we still have a few injuries and it is great for us to have Odion to call upon.
“He is a different striker for us and scores some good goals, there is not many who could dig that one out for his first.”
Solskjaer also praised United’s record goalscorer Wayne Rooney, who lined up for Derby on Thursday evening.
“Everyone loves Wayne, all the supporters at Manchester United appreciate what he did,” Solskjaer said.
“He played well. He shows class and sometimes he has too much time on the ball for my liking.”
United’s FA Cup quarter-final sees them travel to Norwich.
