WAYNE ROONEY spared Manchester United's blushes with a stoppage time penalty to beat an unlucky Sheffield United 1-0 in the third round of the FA Cup.
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| Wayne Rooney scored the winning goal at Old Trafford |
Louis van Gaal selected a strong looking United team but the Blades were resilient and dogged in their defending to frustrate the home side.
Old Trafford was again silenced as a flat United were almost held to an embarrassing goalless draw by the League One side.
But the chance of a replay at Bramall Lane was cruelly taken away from them when Dean Hammond brought down Memphis Depay in the box in added time.
The Dutch star made the most of Hammond's challenge but the Leicester loanee made clear contact. It was a daft tackle and a clear penalty.
This was, remarkably, United's 10th consecutive home match where the Red Devils had failed to score by half-time.
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| Sheffield United frustrated Manchester United with resolute defending |
The 9,000 Sheffield United fans took great pleasure in teasing the home faithful, who could't hide their frustrations, but they were silenced by Rooney's late strike.
Boos, jeers and ironic cheers rang out around Old Trafford throughout the match and who could blame the home fans. It was a dire encounter.
Questions will again be asked of Van Gaal and the Dutchman must surely concede that he was let off the hook with a huge slick of lady luck.
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