Under-pressure Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal enjoyed a rare highlight after weeks of gloom when his side comfortably beat Derby County 3-1 yesterday to reach the FA Cup fifth round.

Goals from Wayne Rooney, Daley Blind and Juan Mata put the 11-times FA Cup winners through, with second-tier Derby only briefly threatening a shock when George Thorne equalised shortly before the break at a noisy Pride Park.

Dutchman Van Gaal has been under mounting pressure after a recent poor run of form and shortage of entertainment, but United were good value for their fourth-round win.

Rooney put the visitors ahead with a superb curling effort after 16 minutes and United should have been further in front before Thorne’s expertly-taken equaliser with Derby’s first meaningful attack.

Blind restored United’s lead after 65 minutes with a sharp finish before Mata sealed the win late on.

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