Manchester United are safely through to the semi-finals of the FA Cup as they booked their place in the draw for Wembley with a far from convincing 2-0 win over Brighton and Hove Albion. Romelu Lukaku broke the deadlock in the first-half before Nemanja Matic made sure of the win with a late header, although this was a far from vintage United performance.
Here are the four things we learned from the match.
1. Lukaku Loves The FA Cup
The much-maligned Romelu Lukaku has copped plenty of flak from critics this season but he has still scored 30 goals for club and country, including 10 in 14 games since the turn of the year. The Belgian forward gave United the lead with a tidy, close-range finish when meeting a lovely cross from Juan Mata after 37 minutes and he has now scored in all four of United's FA Cup ties so far this term.
In fact, Lukaku is something of an FA Cup specialist as he has scored 12 goals in his past 11 outings in the competition and his continued good form will be crucial if United are to end this campaign with a piece of silverware to put on the mantelpiece.
2. Functional Hosts Struggle To Set Pulses Racing
It must be galling for some Manchester United fans to watch this current, functional team at Old Trafford. The days of free-flowing, attacking football of years gone by have gone and been replaced by pedestrian fare that serves to get the job done. Nothing more.
Admittedly, there were few opportunities to get in behind a Brighton side that were happy to sit deep in the first half but the Seagulls opened up in search of an equaliser after the break, and yet still United couldn't take control or attack with any semblance of pace.
It is telling that their second goal came from a set-piece as Nemanja Matic nodded home a free-kick - it was their first shot on target in the second period and a goal from open play rarely looked likely.
The Old Trafford hierarchy knew what they were signing up for when they appointed Mourinho but they didn't mind as long as it delivered trophies. The FA Cup represents the only chance for United to win a piece of silverware this season. Fail to win that and the increasingly frustrated United support may become a little more vocal in their criticism.
3. Sanchez Left Out In The Cold
Jose Mourinho opted to rest several members of the team that lost 2-1 to Sevilla on Tuesday night but the demotion of Alexis Sanchez to the substitutes' bench was a sign that the United boss is finally losing patience with his January signing. It is no secret that the 29-year-old has struggled to make an impact since swapping The Emirates for Old Trafford during the transfer window and his inclusion in the team has often provided more questions than answers, with Sanchez proving ineffectual in his preferred position on the left-side of attack.
It is ironic that United handed the Chilean a contract worth £14m-a-year when they have two younger, better models in their squad waiting to perform. Marcus Rashford was influential when afforded a rare start on the left during the 2-1 win over Liverpool last weekend, scoring both United goals, but he was then moved inside to accommodate Sanchez for the Sevilla clash, while Anthony Martial was a constant threat coming in from the left against Brighton this evening.
Martial and Rashford offer hope for the future, whereas the waning Sanchez is struggling to find his place in Mourinho's current set-up. Which begs the question - why did United sign him?
4. The End Is Nigh For Luke Shaw
Luke Shaw was afforded a rare start at left-back but he failed to impress before he was hauled off at half-time. The former Southampton defender has had his fair share of run-ins with Mourinho since the Portuguese boss took over at 'The Theatre Of Dreams' and it is fair to say that the 22-year-old has struggled to make an impression.
Mourinho was full of praise for Shaw back in January but he looked particularly unimpressed with the full-back's efforts against Brighton, constantly barking orders and deriding Shaw from the sidelines as Solly March caused problems down the United left. It was no surprise to discover that Shaw wouldn't reappear for the second half, with Ashley Young sent on in his stead.
