Manchester United are into the FA Cup quarter-finals after a victory over Derby County.
Luke Shaw scored the first before Odion Ighalo added one in each half to earn a comfortable 3-0 away win.
Here is a look at five things we learned from the fixture…
Solskjaer took it seriously
This was a game manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer made clear he wanted to win. As he should, with the competition providing a viable path to silverware.
David de Gea, Anthony Martial and Nemanja Matic were the only players ‘rested’, while Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Harry Maguire missed out with minor injuries.
A midfield of Scott McTominay, Fred, Bruno Fernandes and Juan Mata took Club Brugge apart last week.
Derby were more resilient, before Luke Shaw broke the deadlock after half an hour with just his second ever goal for the club.
Odion is on form
Odion Ighalo has been getting into good positions in his appearances from the bench, he just has not quite been sharp enough to score them.
We said after the Everton match that the Nigerian needs proper game time, and that means starts, in order to succeed.
Well he now has two starts for United, and two goals. His goal was a real penalty box poacher’s strike, surrounded by defenders, he found the space to receive the ball, turn, and stroke it into the bottom corner.
He added to his tally in the second half, smashing in a rebound after his first shot was blocked.
The loanee was bought to score goals, and he’s doing it. This was the ideal way to warm up for the Manchester derby on Sunday, where he can become a real hero.
A big night for Luke Shaw
If you had been optimistically putting money on Luke Shaw as first goalscorer all season, tonight was the night your bank account finally got a big boost.
The left-back was the surprise name on the scoresheet to break the deadlock, scoring a half-volley which bounced up and over the goalkeeper.
Pay no attention to the ball brushing past Jesse Lingard’s path on it’s flight into the net, this was Shaw’s goal.
Shaw is hitting form, as he showed by providing an assist for Ighalo’s goal a few minutes later, with a direct pass into the penalty area.
A lack of attacking contribution has been the constant knock against Shaw’s game, and while this was against Championship opposition, it was good to see him deliver.
He could even have scored another in the second half after a driving run put him through on goal only to see his effort from his weaker foot saved.
Not over exerted
Derby played well but United’s players were hardly pushed to the limit. This was a comfortable away victory.
Bruno Fernandes was substituted after 65 minutes with an eye on Sunday’s derby with City.
Added to the small number of players who sat this game out, and United have a handful of fresh legs for Sunday’s match at Old Trafford.
Fred too was taken off for the final 20 minutes. He rarely gets a rest, so it was important to spare him for a short period at least with the game already won. Bring on City.
Real chance now
The FA Cup draw has handed United another away fixture in the quarter-finals, but it also could have been worse.
Tottenham were beaten on penalties by Norwich City meaning United head to Carrow Road in the next round.
Liverpool crashed out along with Tottenham in the last round, while Chelsea and Leicester face off against each other, and Sheffield United hosting Arsenal.
City have a trip to Newcastle, completing an all-Premier League last eight.
We will be favourites to beat Norwich and get to Wembley for the semi-final, and from there anything is possible.
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