Star striker Wayne Rooney scored a last-minute penalty as English giants Manchester United labored past Sheffield United 1-0 at Old Trafford to reach the fourth round of FA Cup.
Old Trafford fans endured more than 90 minutes of insipid stalemate before Rooney's stoppage-time penalty gave 11-times winners Manchester United a win against a third-tier side 48 places below them in the football pyramid.
But their performance against third-tier opposition was another display lacking attacking intent.
United enjoyed 71 percent of the ball against Sheffield United but managed only two shots on target as they ran out of ideas against hard-working opposition.
When substitute Memphis Depay tried his luck with a low shot which went comfortably wide in the 66th minute, it was United's first attempt at goal, and was greeted with sarcastic cheers by supporters.
Depay was felled in the box in the third minute of injury time by Dean Hammond, and Rooney scored from the spot.
United manager Louis van Gaal regarded the result as more important than the performance.
"You have to play more quickly than we did in the first half. They are defending with 10, 11 players behind the ball. It's more easy to defend than attack," Van Gaal said.
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