Manchester United breezed into the fifth round of the FA Cup with a thumping 6-0 win over Tranmere Rovers at Prenton Park on Sunday.
Harry Maguire and Anthony Martial claimed the pick of the goals as United romped to a 5-0 half-time lead, before Mason Greenwood completed the scoring early in the second half with a penalty after substitute Tahith Chong was fouled.
It was a first-half exhibition of ruthless finishing from Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side, with each of their five goals in the opening 45 minutes having its own sprinkling of quality.
If we're being picky, Phil Jones had a couple of difficult moments against Tranmere's pacey striker, Morgan Ferrier, but aside from that, it was an imperious performance from the 12-time FA Cup winners.
Player ratings (1-10; 10 = best, players introduced after 70 minutes get no rating)
GK Sergio Romero, 6 -- The stand-in keeper had a couple of simple saves to make, but was otherwise untroubled in what was a comfortable game for the Argentine.
DF Luke Shaw, 6 -- The 24-year-old was pushed farther forward as United went for a three-man defence, and he enjoyed the freedom he was offered by a Tranmere side that struggled with the visitors' shape. Could have added a seventh for his side when he found space in the box, but fired straight at the keeper.
DF Phil Jones, 6 -- Yellow-carded inside the opening four minutes for bundling over Ferrier, and at the end of an occasionally uncomfortable first half he guided an excellent looping header into the far corner to make the score 4-0.
DF Harry Maguire, 8 -- Notched his first goal for Manchester United in quite stunning fashion as he strode into the opposition half and fired an unstoppable effort into the top corner from 25 yards. Also had a role in the third as he laid the ball on a plate for Lingard to stroke home. With the second leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final just three days away, the England international was brought off just after the hour and replaced by Brandon Williams.
DF Victor Lindelof, 6 -- A relatively quiet afternoon in comparison to his central defensive colleagues, but the Swede never found himself in any real danger when protecting his goal.
DF Diogo Dalot, 7 -- The second United defender to bag his first goal for the Red Devils. Dalot's was an excellent strike as the Portuguese played a neat one-two with Martial before chopping inside and firing in to put United in total control after 13 minutes.
MF Nemanja Matic, 7 -- The Serbian was a calming influence in the heart of midfield as he elegantly mopped up loose ends, whilst also looking confident in possession. With the job done at half-time, he was replaced by Fred.
MF Andreas Pereira, 6 -- It was a stroll in the park against a home midfield that stood off the rampant visitors, and Pereira neatly kept play ticking over. Can be pleased with his afternoon.
MF Jesse Lingard, 7 -- Scored United's third as he found space on the edge of the box to calmly curl home an almost identical strike to his goal against Panama in the 2018 World Cup. The 27-year-old found himself in good positions to add to his tally throughout the game, but couldn't quite find the finish.
FW Anthony Martial, 7 -- The Frenchman played his part in the second goal as he played a tidy ball around the corner to release Dalot into space. Got a deserved goal of his own with a glorious curling effort to put United 5-0 up before half-time. Withdrawn at the interval and replaced by Chong.
FW Mason Greenwood, 6 -- The 18-year-old got himself in on the goal-scoring act when he rolled home a penalty early in the second half for United's sixth
Substitutes
MF Tahith Chong, 7 -- Won his side a penalty when he beat Tranmere keeper Scott Davies to a loose ball and was brought down. Later fired a rasping effort against the bar.
MF Fred, 6 -- An easy second half in the deep-lying midfield role.
DF Brandon Williams, 6 -- Slotted in as one of the three United centre-halves, and never looked in any real trouble.
