Ander Herrera is a football traditionalist.
England’s rich footballing heritage a major factor in his move from Spain last year. Even before signing, Herrera had a photo of a stand at Goodison Park as wallpaper on his phone.
Like his teammates, the Basque midfielder took time to get going at Yeovil’s Huish Park in the FA Cup third round, but he did provide the game’s key moment in the 63rd minute, smashing a volley from 24 yards to give United the lead.
That his strike came as a shock illustrated how even the game was for an hour.
A second goal from substitute Angel Di Maria a minute from time sent United through as they eventually overcame their opponents from the bottom of England’s third tier.
Herrera appreciated the anticipation ahead of his first FA Cup game. A special edition of the match day programme cost £5 (Dh28) and included four blank pages for autographs.
Despite not starting Robin van Persie, Juan Mata, Phil Jones and Michael Carrick, United fielded a far stronger XI than at fellow League 1 side MK Dons in their only other cup game this season.
Radamel Falcao, Wayne Rooney and David de Gea were among the starters who travelled 230 miles south and hundreds of Yeovil fans wearing green and red scarves with both club’s colours waited outside the modest main entrance for their esteemed hosts.
Nearby, a temporary green painted cabin did a busy trade in old football programmes while the sell-out 9,246 crowd was over twice Yeovil’s average 4,401 – itself a tenth of the town’s population.
Two thousand United fans travelled, the majority standing on an open terrace on a gloomy Somerset afternoon.
In a town famous for helicopters, it was appropriate that Alex Ferguson arrived by air in a field close by an hour before kick-off.
Ferguson was all smiles but won’t have been impressed by United’s first half showing as
Yeovil fought for every ball. United struggled to dominate, mustering a solitary effort on goal.
The surprisingly quiet home crowd came to life when the ball hit the arm of United defender Paddy McNair in the 40th minute.
Wearing a flesh coloured head bandage from a 20th minute injury, McNair’s failure to control it exemplified United’s below par start.
No free-kick was awarded, but Yeovil were emboldened and finished the first half strongly.
Kieffer Moore dribbled forward and released Kevin Dawson on the right, who wasn’t quick enough and allowed Smalling to recover.
Louis van Gaal replaced injured United wingbacks Rafael and Luke Shaw for Jonny Evans and Juan Mata at half-time.
“We have a lot of problems in the first half, admitted the United boss. “We don’t have the patience, we want to make the goal too much and in a hurry. I changed the shape to 4-4-2.”
Yeovil manager Gary Johnson was satisfied enough to make no changes.
Yeovil forward Moore had his side’s best chance in the 54th minute following a mix up-up between Evans and Smalling. Falcao was replaced by di Maria who helped United increase their possession against opponents replete with loan signings and young players, though Herrera’s goal was a stroke of individual genius.
Rooney’s pass for Di Maria’s goal was another magical moment. United ‘s captain was happy to swap his shirt with Yeovil’s skipper and United fan Joe Edwards after the final whistle.
“I have to credit Yeovil Town. In the first half they don’t give any time to us to play the ball,” said van Gaal.
“It was bittersweet,” said Yeovil’s manager. “I was proud of the effort the boys put in. We wanted to effect the game and give them a fright. I thought we did that.”
“I’m very happy that we have won, very happy that we have survived this festive period because I don’t have a big selection with all of the injuries,” concluded van Gaal. “Despite that we have regained one point on Chelsea and we are in the fourth round of the FA Cup”.
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