FA Cup quarter-final draw: Man Utd visit Wolves as Swansea host Manchester City in last eight

Monday 18 February 2019 22:41

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has transformed United this season

(AP)

Last season’s finalists Manchester United will travel to Molineux to take on Wolves in the quarter-final of the FA Cup.

Nuno Espirito Santo’s side last won the cup in 1960 under the captaincy of the late Bill Slater.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer strengthened his case to be made full-time Manchester United boss and confirmed the Red’s place in the last eight with a 2-0 win at Chelsea.

United avoided their city rivals for another round whilst Pep Guardiola’s City will make the journey down to The Liberty Stadium to face Championship Swansea.

Watford drew another London-based opponent in finalists from three years ago, Crystal Palace. Both sides faced lower league opposition in the fifth round.

Player ratings: Chelsea vs Manchester United

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1/22Player ratings: Chelsea vs Manchester United

Player ratings: Chelsea vs Manchester United

Kepa 4

Not sharp enough given he cost £71million. Sluggish and slow on both headed goals he conceded, and not exactly assured with his feet either. Although he could reasonably enough blame the defence in front of him.

Getty Images

Player ratings: Chelsea vs Manchester United

Azpilicueta 6

Characteristic commitment, but defending in this team is far from easy. Looks frustrated by his inability to cover for his team-mates. Unable to break through going forward.

REUTERS

Player ratings: Chelsea vs Manchester United

Rudiger 5

He is a good athlete but is he good enough to make up for the fact he plays in a back four with Marcos Alonso and David Luiz? Looked lost at times here as United players ran at him.

Action Images via Reuters

Player ratings: Chelsea vs Manchester United

Luiz 3

How long can Chelsea survive with someone so defensively casual? Sarri’s football plays to his strengths but it also exposes his faults, his laxness in stopping the cross for the second a case in point.

AFP/Getty Images

Player ratings: Chelsea vs Manchester United

Alonso 4

Could only stand and watch as Herrera ran past him to head in United’s opening goal, and miles away for the second. Not doing enough either defensively or going forward to make a positive contribution to this team right now.

PA

Player ratings: Chelsea vs Manchester United

Kante 6

Worked hard at his aggressive role but surely he would have been better in a position where he could have stifled United’s counter attacks. Looks like the right answer to the wrong question in a wide area.

AP

Player ratings: Chelsea vs Manchester United

Jorginho 5

Clearly a clever player but he cannot control these games up against physical, driven opposition. Plenty of passing but none of it incisive, with United able to raise the tempo away from him whenever they chose.

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Player ratings: Chelsea vs Manchester United

Kovacic 5

Tidy enough in possession but never looks like turning that into chances or goals, as Chelsea looked as blunt as ever. His substitution was booed by the fans because he not replaced by Callum Hudson Odoi.

PA

Player ratings: Chelsea vs Manchester United

Pedro 5

He is not the reason why Chelsea lost but he also struggled to make an impact and was the first man to get hooked as Sarri chased improvement, off for Willian before the hour mark.

REUTERS

Player ratings: Chelsea vs Manchester United

Hazard 6

Always on the move, buzzing around with the ball, trying to provoke something. But it was a largely frustrating evening because of Chelsea’s defensive struggles, and he never really looked like scoring.

REUTERS

Player ratings: Chelsea vs Manchester United

Higuain 5

Some clever moves, and missed one headed chance, but he still looks too slow for English football. Being caught up by Luke Shaw when through on goal is a case in point. Might have been a good signing a few years ago.

AFP/Getty Images

Player ratings: Chelsea vs Manchester United

Romero 6

Made a double save early on when the game was still in the balance. If Chelsea had taken the lead it would have been very different. After that had a very quiet evening. Will hope to play in the quarter-final.

AP

Player ratings: Chelsea vs Manchester United

Young 6

United’s experienced captain, he directed his team-mates through the game. Too old to play as a winger now but is a sturdy right-back and put in some hefty tackles here when he had to.

AFP/Getty Images

Player ratings: Chelsea vs Manchester United

Smalling 7

Imposed himself on the Chelsea front line, playing with the assurance that is typical of his improvement this season. United need his leadership and organisation at the back.

AP

Player ratings: Chelsea vs Manchester United

Lindelof 6

Was never tested too much by Gonzalo Higuain but he did stand up to Eden Hazard when he had to, as well as using the ball cleverly and calmly.

AP

Player ratings: Chelsea vs Manchester United

Shaw 6

Continued his steady progress with a strong performance at left-back. Did not get to attack too much but defended well.

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Player ratings: Chelsea vs Manchester United

Matic 6

Provided a solid base in midfield but after an early booking he was lucky to stay on the pitch after he tripped Ngolo Kante in the second half. Still looking much better than he did under Mourinho.

AFP/Getty Images

Player ratings: Chelsea vs Manchester United

Herrera 7

Did his usual job scurrying around, shouting and tackling, but also scored that fantastic opener, anticipating and charging forward to head in Pogba’s cross, leaving the whole Chelsea defence out of place.

AFP/Getty Images

Player ratings: Chelsea vs Manchester United

Pogba 9

After the disappointment of midweek, he responded here in the perfect way. First he delivered an assist of remarkable patience and precision for Herrera from the left and then he scored a brilliant Ronaldo-esque header just before the break, from a move he started. Another complete peformance.

Action Images via Reuters

Player ratings: Chelsea vs Manchester United

Rashford 8

Had to be patient in the first half but worked so well for the second goal, chasing the ball down and firing in a sharp cross for Pogba to head in, catching the Chelsea defence unawares. Never let Chelsea relax with his running.

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Player ratings: Chelsea vs Manchester United

Lukaku 6

Probably not in the strongest United team but he was at least a handful here, asking questions with his movement, even if he is lacking confidence in the box.

AFP/Getty Images

Player ratings: Chelsea vs Manchester United

Mata 8

Back in his favoured no10 role, he was always lively looking for space, and it was not too hard to find it around Jorginho. Helped United to keep the ball and see out the win.

REUTERS

Lowest ranked side remaining in the competition, Millwall will host Brighton. Brighton were man United’s quarter-final victims last season and will be hoping to surpass their achievement at The Den. Millwall themselves have good recent history in the competition, making the quarter-finals two years ago and semi-finalists in 2013 against eventual winners Wigan. A game marred by crowd trouble.

The fixtures will take place between March 15-18.

Full draw

Swansea v Man City

Watford v Crystal Palace

Wolves v Man United

Millwall v Brighton

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