MAN UTD 2, BRIGHTON 0
Manchester United made it through to a record equalling 29th Emirates FA Cup semi-final with victory against Brighton at a wintry Old Trafford.
It was a workmanlike, rather than spectacular, display from the Reds as they overcame the spirited Seagulls.
Indeed, Brighton had more than twice as many goal attempts, but it was United who had the cutting edge as goals from Romelu Lukaku and Nemanja Matic sealed victory.
They were the only two on target goal attempts as United managed a meagre eight openings, their lowest for some time.
Manager Jose Mourinho wasn’t happy with some of his players claiming they were “scared”. He would not name names, preferring to pick out his star players.
He said: “Many, many times I felt Matic was an island. He was surrounded by a lack of personality, a lack of class and a lack of desire.
“I prefer to name the good ones who had the personality, quality and reaction to the defeat on Tuesday.
“When the sun shines in football you win matches, score goals and everything goes in your direction, every player is a good player, full of confidence and looks amazing.
“When it is dark and cold or in a period of bad results, or like a couple of days ago, not all have the confidence or personalty to play.
“I am happy with the result and the control we had, apart from minutes 15 to 30 in the second half, despite not playing well.”
Mourinho added he has no doubt Brighton will remain in the Premier League on the evidence of what he has seen.
It was all change for United as five of the starters against Sevilla lost their places – David De Gea, Alexis Sanchez, Marcus Rashford, Ashley Young and Marouane Felliani.
In to the team came Sergio Romero, Juan Mata, Anthony Martial, Luke Shaw and Scott McTominay.
Brighton also made five changes from the side beaten at Everton last weekend. Top scorer Glenn Murray was one of those who dropped down to the bench.
The match kicked off in blizzard conditions and there was little to warm fans in an uneventful opening quarter of the game as neither goalkeeper was called into action.
United enjoyed two thirds of possession, but did little to trouble Tim Krul, the Seagulls’ Dutch keeper.
The game exploded to life on the half hour when Mata had a shot deflected for a corner following a delightful interchange of passes with Martial.
From the resulting corner the ball was not cleared and fell invitingly to Chris Smalling who from three yards fired against the upright, a dreadful miss.
Brighton could have taken the lead when Romero pulled off a smart save to keep out a header from Lewis Dunk following a corner.
The deadlock was broken in the 37th minute when Lukaku rose at the far post to head home a Nemanja Matic cross from three yards, his 25th goal of the season.
United made a change at the break as Shaw was replaced by Young.
Brighton had a great chance to draw level shortly after the restart, but Pascal Gross fired narrowly wide and moments later Jurgen Locadia forced a diving save from Romero.
The Seagulls were flying as they took the game to the Reds and Locadia forced a fine save from Locadia to turn over his shot from the edge of the box.
The dangerous Locadia missed another chance, this time heading narrowly wide at the far post from Solly March’s cross.
United made their second change in the 74th minute when Mata made way for Rashford.
Matic sealed victory with seven minutes left heading home Young’s free kick from inside the six-yard box. Rashford won it after being fouled by Shane Duffy.
It was only United’s second on target goal attempt of the game and only Matic’s second goal of the campaign.
United made their last change in the final minute when Fellaini came on for Lingard.
Brighton kept going to the end and in stoppage time Gross had two further chances, both