First Half, FA Cup Quarter Final

15 minutes

Fifteen minutes in and so far both sides have looked good defensively, but not much happening offensively on both sides. Man Utd has had a couple of extra chances than Arsenal, but nothing too scary.

Almost goal at the 15 minute mark by Rafael, a header but was sent over the bar.

25 minutes

18 min: Rooney is surprisingly playing a more back position compared to Javier who is charging straight out at goal. So far okay at his position, but wish he would push deeper into the Arsenal side.

20 min: Every time either side gets down close to the other's box, the defenders on each side just close up that box and gives no one a chance. Definitely a defense game!

22 min: Man Utd keep trying to send that ball deep as soon as they pick it up in the mid field, trying to get Hernandez a chance to get it past the goal keep. Defenders rally!

24 min: Giggsy is playing pretty deep back, wondering if Rafael and him switched spots for a bit because I see more of Rafael charging up the wing than Giggs. "Rooney is playing as the third midfielder" from the commentators. Arsenal just had their best try from outside of the box. Good catch by Van Der Sar.

25 min: Back and forth between both teams, still neither side showing their true strength yet, though it does look like Man Utd is having good passing, just not crossing. Rooney finally made it to the box this time!

35 Minutes

27 min: Arsenal passing well in their back field, slowly pushing the ball forward into the box, a bounce shot off of a player caught by Van Der Sar.

FABIO GOOOOAAALL. Pass by Rooney!!! As soon as Van Der Sar caught the ball, the ball was played way back down, Defenders sending it to Rafael, who sent it to Rafael, who sent it to Rooney with Rooney sending in an amazing chip to a waiting Fabio, who kicked it top box. What A GOAL! Javier had tried a header before Fabio kicked it in!

30 min: I swear this must be the year of Rooney concentrating only on his passing, with a goal here and there. He has been making some good crosses and passes, another chance for Fabio to head it in, only sending it the wrong way. Arsene Wenger standing up, looking hard on the field.

32 min: Rooney is doing great still back in his mid field position, but I still would like to see him push down on the Arsenal box, I want more overhead kicks! Ball is being pretty held at mid field, good passes on both sides, and bad passes on both sides. Van Perise gets a good shot from his weak foot, leads to a missed corner.

35 min: A lucky corner for Man Utd at the 34 minute mark, nothing became of it. Rooney just tackled the crap out of a Arsenal defender, knocking the ball out. You just see number 10 walking away. Man Utd not afraid to slide tackle and they sure as using it to the fullest, though no bad tackles yet some of them are getting close to looking like that. Another shot on goal, offside but good catch by Van Der Sar anyways!

45 Minutes

37 min: Rafael always brings his A game when he plays, and with Fabio backing him up for Nani they are both looking great and actually able to cover for a injured Nani. A throw in for Arsenal near Man Utd box, passing around the box looking for a way to break the red wall.

40 min: Good ball control and recovery by Man Utd, stealing the ball and actually holding onto it. It is nice to see. Arsenal seems to go down pretty easy with the simplest tackles. A little weird but free kick for Arsenal. Rafael is so fast! Chasing down the defenders for the ball, he is going to be on the first team squad for a long time!

43 min: Chris Smalling made a good tackle, got the ball to Rooney who sent it in to Smalling who charged down the field, waited for the team and had another decent chance for Man Utd, though they were sent back to their side of the field with the ball, trying to break the Yellow wall of defenders from Arsenal.

45 min+InjT: Good shot by Nasri but a even better goal save by Van Der Sar, on what looked like a almost goal. Only one minute of added time, Man Utd controlling the ball in their back field, keeping it between themselves trying to find the open man down the field. Lost it at mid field only to retain it again in their back field, a small charge by Man Utd, but Arsenal defenders got to the ball. Half time whistle blown, players heading off of the field.

Manchester United 1 - 0 Arsenal, a goal from Fabio at 28 minutes the still deciding factor for this game.