Manchester United were let off the hook by Derby, says Phil Thompson
Saturday 30 January 2016 19:44, UK
Phil Thompson believes Derby let Manchester United off the hook in Friday's FA Cup clash, while Charlie Nicholas questioned Marouane Fellaini's role in Louis van Gaal's side.
Louis van Gaal's side picked up a much needed win against the Championship side, eventually winning 3-1 with goals from Wayne Rooney, Daley Blind and Juan Mata.
George Thorne leveled for the Rams late in the first-half, but Thompson believes Derby did not push their struggling Premier League opponents as much as they could have.
"United's performance was better, but I think Derby let them off the hook," the former Liverpool defender told Soccer Saturday.
"They didn't close them down, they gave them a lot of space so any nervousness evaporated in the first 10 minutes. It was a good victory, a needed victory for Van Gaal but I still think there's a lot more to do for Manchester United because I don't think Derby were really at it."
This was echoed by fellow pundit Paul Merson, who thinks the out-of-form Rams could have made more of the occasion.
"I think Derby played into their hands. They didn't make it an FA Cup tie - the giants against the minnows - and that made it a bit easier for United. It was a massive football result. For the way they're playing, it was a big result."
Anthony Martial came in for particular praise for his performance as he created two of the three United goals, while a spectacular goal from Wayne Rooney was also a highlight.
But Charlie Nicholas believes the pressure is still very much on for Van Gaal and singled out Fellaini for criticism.
"Is the pressure off now? No, not until they get a fluency in their game," said the former Arsenal striker.
"We know Derby weren't at it but you can only beat what's in front of you and there were a few signs last night - three or four movements - of fluent passing. Martial and Rooney were particularly involved but it's not something we've seen enough of.
"It's slightly better when Mata plays but I still think there's some confusion with Fellaini in the team. I don't know his position. He sometimes wants to hold, sometimes he wants to go forward, sometimes he just gets in the way.
"The last half-a-dozen Manchester United games I've seen, he could have picked up three or four red cards. He wins headers defensively, he wins a few going forwards but other than that I don't see a great deal.
"In my opinion, he breaks up any fluency the team has."
