FA Cup: Manchester United 1-0 Sheffield United - 5 Talking Points

Wayne Rooney’s late penalty saw Manchester United advance in the FA CupWayne Rooney's stoppage time penalty spared Manchester United's blushes and secured their berth in the fourth round of the FA Cup. Despite dominating possession for the majority of the game, it took until the 68th minute before the home side could get a shot on target.Sheffield United, who had defended resolutely for much of the game, were denied an opportunity to take the game back to Bramall Lane as a poor challenge in stoppage time resulted in a penalty that was converted by the English captain.Here are the five major talking points from the game.

#1 Memphis Depay makes the difference

The introduction of Memphis Depay for Juan Mata changed the complexion of the game

Sometimes, when the game is tight and the opposition have every player behind the ball trying to stop you from scoring, all you need is one substitution to make the difference and change the complexion of the game.

And that is exactly what happened as Louis van Gaal brought on Memphis Depay and Jesse Lingard in the second half to replace Juan Mata and Ander Herrera. As two old-fashioned wingers, they provided width and stretched the Sheffield United defence.

Memphis, in particular, brought his A-game and took on defenders at every opportunity and gave the defence something different to deal with. It was no surprise to see that it was the Dutchman who took on the defender in stoppage time and eventually drew the challenge that led to the penalty that was converted.

#2 One mistake is all it takes

A distraught Dean Hammond (L) after conceding the penalty

For the best part of 90 minutes, Sheffield United defended in the manner that their manager Nigel Adkins would have wanted. They defended in numbers and limited the amount of goalscoring opportunities for United.

But in stoppage time, all the hard work went in vain as Dean Hammond, who had defended brilliantly until then, brought Memphis Depay down with a challenge that did not need to be made. The Dutchman was anyway running into a sea of defenders.

Had Hammond not made the challenge, the pressure on Van Gaal might have increased immensely and the knives would have been sharpened once again. But such is the small margins in the elite level football that Hammond did make that challenge that not only cost his side the opportunity of a replay, but also the chance to make history and knock United out of the cup.

#3 Marouane Fellaini is not a central midfielder

Fellaini’s distribution was non-existent

There are many things Marouane Fellaini can do. Head the ball well, check. Control an aerial cross, check. Constantly be involved in a foul – both committing and on the receiving end, check. But if there is one thing he cannot do is suddenly transform himself into a technically gifted footballer who can spot a through ball from a mile away.

Unfortunately, playing as a central midfielder in a 4-2-3-1, Fellaini has been asked to not only be defensively and positionally sound, but also spread the play and spot a pass from the centre of the pitch. His inability to do the latter almost cost United a goal in the first half, as his lackadaisical pass to Juan Mata resulted in a counter-attack that was eventually well defended by the hosts.

The biggest advantage of having Fellaini in the side is the aerial ability he brings. But when deployed as a central midfielder, that is completely nullified and, apart from contributing in set-pieces, he virtually adds no value to the side.

When Fellaini was pushed further forward in the second half, he made more of an impact; which begs the question, why wasn't it done from the start?

#4 The curious case of Ander Herrera and Morgan Schneiderlin

Why doesn’t Van Gaal play them both together?

Earlier in the season, when United were keeping clean sheets and were defensively solid, Morgan Schneiderlin was an integral part of it. But as United didn't score too many goals and lacked a bit of creativity, many fans were calling for the inclusion of Ander Herrera.

Fast forward a few months and, although Herrera hasn't made the desired impact offensively, United have looked vulnerable defensively and there have been calls for the return of Schneiderlin, who has been curiously absent.

It is fairly obvious what both players bring to the table and how important they are to the side's offensive and defensive shape. Yet it is somewhat surprising that Van Gaal doesn't want to play both players together.

#5 Not a classic by any means

Rooney’s late penalty disguised another dour display

Such has been Manchester United's recent form that they have gone from a neutral's favourite side to one that is even criticised and, at times, booed by their own supporters. This game did nothing to correct that image of Manchester United as the football was tedious at best.

Yes, they kept the ball well and the possession and passing stats were impressive, which would no doubt please Van Gaal. But the quality of their attacking was simply dire.

Players simply did not look too keen on taking on their man, aside from Depay, whose adventurous attitude led to the only goal of the game. Unless drastic changes are made to either the fomration or the players at the club, United will continue to play boring football that is certain to put neutrals and even their own fans to sleep.