Your Monday Briefing: 8 headlines for Reds

1: UNITED 2 DERBY COUNTY 0
That was the score in our Emirates FA Cup third-round tie at Old Trafford, where Jose Mourinho’s men dominated but did not break the deadlock until the 81st minute when Jesse Lingard struck a sensational effort from the edge of the box. Romelu Lukaku then doubled the lead on the stroke of 90 minutes, shooting past the impressive Scott Carson to claim his 16th goal of the campaign.

2: ANOTHER AWARD FOR LINGARD
Jesse followed his December Player of the Month success by collecting the Man of the Match title, after netting his eighth goal in 10 matches across all competitions and his 11th strike of the season. The Academy graduate comfortably beat off competition from fellow nominees Paul Pogba and Ander Herrera, and the latter admitted: "Jesse is on fire right now. He has to keep on trying to shoot. He’s in that moment where everything goes well. But he deserves it."

3: SQUAD BOOSTED BY FELLAINI
The influential Belgium international joined his compatriot Lukaku in returning from injury, by coming on as a substitute in the second half when the score was still 0-0. Marouane’s previous appearance was against Brighton & Hove Albion on 25 November, and it is fantastic to have him back in the squad.

4: JOSE SAID SORRY TO MICKI
Henrikh was taken off for Lukaku at half-time against Derby and in the post-match press conference the manager admitted it was “unfair” of him to do so. "I didn’t like what I did," Mourinho said. "He didn’t deserve it, he was playing well. He wasn’t playing badly… I had to sacrifice a player. Micki was the one that I sacrificed but it’s something that I don’t normally do but I did at half-time and apologised to him in front of other people because he didn’t deserve it."

5: A RARE WEEKEND OFF 
After playing on Friday night, Mourinho gave the squad some time off to spend with their friends and families. As followers of the players' social media accounts will know, the squad made the most of the opportunity - Chris Smalling went to the Lake District, Ander Herrera hit up London, Daley Blind flew back home to Amsterdam, while Jesse Lingard and Marcus Rashford visited Paris.

Great to get our name in the 4th round draw then enjoy a weekend on the lakes. Not sure Ruben found his sea legs! 🐶🤦🏾‍♂ pic.twitter.com/cOkdYel76t

— Chris Smalling (@ChrisSmalling) January 7, 2018

 

6: NEXT STOP, DUBAI
United will fly from Manchester Airport for five days of warm weather training, and the squad should thank Coventry City for the trip getting the green light. Why? Because the League Two side beat Stoke City 2-1 at the Ricoh Arena and a draw would have prompted a third-round replay that would have been played on Tuesday 16 January. As a consequence, that would have brought forward our own league match against the Potters from Monday 15 January to Saturday.

7: HUGHES LET GO BY STOKE
Unfortunately, as a result of that shock defeat in the cup, former United striker Mark Hughes has been sacked by the Potters with immediate effect. A run of five defeats in seven Premier League games also contributed to the Welshman’s departure and he left with the team in the relegation zone. The 54-year-old had been in charge of the Staffordshire club for four and a half years. That means Stoke could have a new boss in charge by the time of their visit to Old Trafford next Monday.

8: TROPHY SUCCESS FOR YOUNG REDS
Congrats to our young Reds after they retained the Sparkasse & VGH Cup, a five-a-side tournament, with a penalty shootout win over Austria Vienna. “It's an important date in our calendar and there are lots the boys can get from it technically, tactically and mentally,” said Kieran McKenna.

Congratulations to our #MUFC youngsters who have retained the Sparkasse & VGH Cup with a penalty shootout win over Austria Vienna in the final! pic.twitter.com/ugoTQiLAiS

— Manchester United (@ManUtd) January 7, 2018