Talking Points: Tranmere v United

The superb victory saw a number of significant milestones, such as two players scoring their first United goals, while we also equalled a 128-year club record.

After an afternoon on Merseyside packed full of incidents and highlights, we’ve rounded up a number of the major talking points from the match…

POTENTIAL FIFTH-ROUND OPPONENTS

The Reds' victory at Prenton Park means we have progressed to the fifth round of the FA Cup for the sixth season in a row. United will be joined in the last 16 by a number of familiar foes, with the likes of Leicester City, Chelsea and Manchester City in the hat for the next stage, along with Sheffield Wednesday, Portsmouth, Norwich City, Sheffield United and West Bromwich Albion. There are also five fourth-round replays to take place, while Liverpool’s trip to Shrewsbury and Arsenal’s game against Bournemouth from this stage are yet to take place. The draw for the fifth round will take place on Monday night at 19:19 GMT on BBC’s The One Show.

MAGUIRE & DALOT ON THE SCORESHEET

Two players - Harry Maguire and Diogo Dalot - opened their scoring accounts for United on Sunday. The former has come pretty close to finding the back of the net in recent weeks, but in his 32nd United appearance, our summer signing celebrated that significant milestone at Prenton Park. It was also a strike to remember for our skipper, who banged in a beauty from outside the area. Not to be outdone, Dalot - starting his first game for United since October due to injury - blasted home our second soon after. The Portuguese full-back drove from deep and unleashed a powerful effort that gave opposition goalkeeper Scott Davies no chance.

JONES BACK IN THE GOALS

The Reds had another unlikely scorer against Tranmere with Phil Jones heading in a 41st-minute corner. The defender leapt highest in the box and despite David Perkins standing on the line, the header looped just over his head and into the back of the net. The goal was Phil’s first since the 2013/14 campaign - a season the centre-back actually scored three times for the Reds. The 27-year-old will also have been delighted to come away from the clash with a clean sheet.

200 GAMES FOR TONY

Anthony Martial became the 101st player to make 200 United appearances, during our trip to Tranmere. The French attacker marked the occasion by netting his 60th United goal just before the break as he curled an excellent shot into the far corner. In doing so, Martial also became the first player this season to net in the Premier League, Europa League, Carabao Cup and FA Cup. Mason Greenwood also achieved the same feat later in the game.

DEALNG WITH THE PITCH

Much had been made before the game about the state of the Prenton Park playing surface. However, rather than allowing the mud and bumps to affect our game, the Reds knuckled down and got on with things. In fact, our players seemed to revel on the surface, with several sliding into muddy tackles. While the pitch was certainly bobbly and uneven, it didn’t affect our free-flowing attacking play, with United pinging the ball about effortlessly at times in the game.

DOUBLE FIGURES FOR MASON

Greenwood added our sixth in the second half from the penalty spot. That strike means in his maiden full campaign at first-team level, the forward has scored 10 times across four different competitions. In fact, given that the teenager has netted for our youth sides this season in the EFL Trophy and Premier League 2, Mason has now scored in six different competitions this term. Greenwood gave another excellent display at Prenton Park and superbly linked the attack and midfield thanks to his movement and passing.

REDS EQUAL 128-YEAR RECORD

United scored six for the first time since our 8-2 win over Arsenal in 2011 during Sunday’s game - an impressive statistic in its own right. However, as the Reds found the back of the net with six different scorers, it means we equalled a record from 1892. United won 10-1 on that occasion 128 years ago, against Wolverhampton Wanderers, with William S Stewart (3), Alfred Farman, Robert Donaldson (3), Adam Carson, William Hood and James Hendry all on the scoresheet.

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