Rooney spares United blushes

MANCHESTER — Wayne Rooney’s stoppage-time penalty spared Manchester United’s blushes as it narrowly avoided FA Cup third round embarrassment with a 1-0 win over Sheffield United Saturday. United, 11-time winner of the FA Cup, had only once before lost to lower league opposition in 37 ties in the competition. That record was severely tested by the determined third tier visitors, who had already defeated five Premier League teams over the past couple of seasons in reaching the semifinals of both the FA and League Cups. But Rooney’s dramatic late penalty, converted after substitute Memphis Depay had been fouled in the box by Dean Hammond, ensured Louis van Gaal’s side would avoid a tricky replay at Bramall Lane. However, United manager van Gaal and his players once again felt the wrath of their supporters at Old Trafford throughout another poor performance which threatened to end in a sixth 0-0 draw from the last 10 games at Old Trafford. Van Gaal’s side again looked desperately short of an attacking threat as the underdogs comfortably kept them at bay until their fatal late lapse and, in fact, the hosts didn’t register a shot on target until the 69th minute, a strike that drew sarcastic cheers from sections of the stadium. AC Milan, Roma managers still under pressure A 1-1 draw between AC Milan and Roma in Serie A Saturday likely did little to alleviate the pressure on managers Sinisa Mihajlovic and Rudi Garcia. Antonio Rudiger put Roma in front with a volley four minutes in at the Stadio Olimpico and Juraj Kucka equalized early in the second half. Roma remained fifth, five points behind Serie A leader Inter Milan. Milan moved up to provisional sixth, five points behind Roma. Earlier, developing forward Keita scored an impressive goal as Lazio won 3-1 at Fiorentina to deny the Tuscan squad a chance at taking the provisional lead. Fiorentina remained one-point behind Inter and level on points with Napoli. Also, promoted Carpi beat visiting Udinese 2-1 to move within two points of escaping the relegation zone. — Agencies