FA Cup

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FA Cup | Third Round

Jan 9, 2016 at 5.30pm UK

Man Utd Manchester United
1-0
Sheff Utd Sheffield United

Rooney (93')

FT(HT: 0-0)

Manchester United labour past Sheffield United into FA Cup fourth round

By Barney Corkhill, Editor | 09 January 2016

Manchester United sneak past Sheffield United into the fourth round of the FA Cup courtesy of a stoppage-time penalty from Wayne Rooney.

A stoppage-time penalty from Wayne Rooney has handed Manchester United a laboured 1-0 victory over Sheffield United at Old Trafford to book their place in the fourth round of the FA Cup.

The visitors went into the match having won five of their previous six games against higher-ranked opposition, and they frustrated their hosts for long spells with a disciplined defensive performance.

George Long saves a shot from Wayne Rooney during the FA Cup game between Manchester United and Sheffield United on January 9, 2016 © AFP

Louis van Gaal's side did not exactly ask many difficult questions of their opponents, though, and the first half passed by without a single shot on target or notable chance.

Rooney had a couple of glimpses inside the box, but on both occasions the visiting keeper George Long did enough to fend off the danger, while Bastian Schweinsteiger also failed to make the most of a ball into the area.

The only shots in the first half arrived from outside the area, with the best of the lot seeing Daley Blind curl one comfortably over the crossbar with the final action of the half.

The goalless first half meant that it is now 10 games since United scored in the opening 45 minutes at home, with nine of those games reaching the halfway stage at 0-0.

Juan 'no' Mata heads the ball during the FA Cup game between Manchester United and Sheffield United on January 9, 2016 © Getty Images

It was more of the same in the second half, and the fans' frustrations were clear when Old Trafford erupted in ironic cheers after Memphis Depay had flashed a shot wide after a rare moment of positivity from the hosts.

The first effort on target finally arrived in the 67th minute when Chris Basham sent one straight at David de Gea from range, while Man Utd got their first moments later as Matteo Darmian drew a simple stop from Long.

Anthony Martial nearly nicked a late winner for his side when a poor clearance arrived at his feet inside the area, but John Brayford threw himself in the way of the shot and Chris Smalling could not connect with the rebound.

The visitors' hearts were to be broken even later, however, as Dean Hammond brought down Depay inside in the penalty area, allowing Rooney to step up and bury his spot kick into the bottom corner.

Wayne Rooney scores a penalty during the FA Cup game between Manchester United and Sheffield United on January 9, 2016 © Getty Images

There was no time for the Blades to recover as United booked their place in the next round, although the home fans still voiced their displeasure as the Red Devils walked off the field.