Reds' Spirit Shines Through

The last time Manchester United travelled to Preston North End for a competitive clash, the Reds had to rely on two second-half goals to secure a safe passage through to the next round of the FA Cup, and it was a similar story some 43 years later in Monday night’s fifth-round tie, with Louis van Gaal’s men, eventually, running out 3-1 winners.

The Reds were given their toughest encounter, and the biggest fright, of the FA Cup campaign so far by a lively Preston side currently seeking promotion from League One. Louis van Gaal knew as much as he led his players to where the travelling Reds were gathered at full-time and stood for some minutes applauding both the supporters and his players.

Preston boss Simon Grayson mirrored his opposite number’s actions – he knew his side had got close, but ultimately United’s quality, when it was needed, and fighting spirit proved the difference. In his matchday programme notes before the game, Grayson wrote that “everyone has been excited at the prospect of Manchester United coming to Deepdale for the first time in over 40 years since the final whistle at Bramall Lane,” referencing Preston’s impressive 3-1 come-from-behind fourth-round replay win away to Sheffield United.

And you could sense the excitement as soon as you got within close proximity of the famous old ground. I heard a tout offer a ticket for £250, while young Preston fans displayed painted faces and carried around the now-customary tin-foil style FA Cup creations. Grayson asked the home fans “to make some noise” before adding in his notes: “We will not be overawed.” And that they weren’t.

On a freezing evening in Lancashire, it’s fair to say neither side set the tie on fire in the first half with both goalkeepers chilly spectators for the most part. It was only after the break, two minutes after the restart in fact, that the match really came alive, sparked into life by Scott Laird’s deflected finish which sent Deepdale delirious with delight.

While much has been said and written in recent weeks, all season actually, about formations, style of play and players’ best positions, United’s team spirit has never once been called into question or indeed waned. Just as the Reds had had to rely on that never-say-die attitude and powers of recovery in their last away trip, at Upton Park eight days earlier, van Gaal’s men rallied at Deepdale, with the introduction of Ashley Young, on the hour for Radamel Falcao, proving crucial.

The winger-turned-wing-back-turned-back-to-winger for this particular substitute role, found Ander Herrera who fired a shot home off the post. Herrera played his part in United’s second which was duly blasted home by the battling Marouane Fellaini after his initial header had been saved. Wayne Rooney made sure of the victory late on as he fired home from the penalty spot and set up an enticing quarter-final clash with joint-record FA Cup holders (with us) Arsenal at Old Trafford in three weeks’ time.

Almost 4,500 travelling Reds packed into the Bill Shankly Kop end – incidentally a meeting with Liverpool at Wembley in either the semi-finals or the final still remains a possibility – and they rose to a man to salute their team at the final whistle. Indeed, the whole ground stood as one, including van Gaal, to pay homage to both sides' efforts and endeavours. The Reds boss hailed his side's "unbelievable spirit" in his post-match interviews and it will be needed in abundance for the meeting with the current holders in the next round. For the moment though, Wembley has edged a little closer and silverware still remains very much in our sights.

Credit: manutd.com