But they were helped by two glaring errors from goalkeeper David de Gea and an own goal by Harry Maguire.

Chelsea, who face rivals Arsenal in the Aug. 1 showpiece, had lost to Manchester United three times this season but dominated this match.

They took control with goals either side of half-time from Olivier Giroud and Mason Mount.

Chelsea manager Frank Lampard was delighted with the discipline of his team, who ended Manchester United’s 19-game unbeaten run.

“People ask a lot at this time of the year about mentality and character and our team was full of it today,” he said after the match at an empty Wembley, the national stadium’s gates locked because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Manchester United were forced into a change at 0-0 late in the first half when Eric Bailly was carried off after clashing heads with fellow defender Maguire.

Manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer then brought on Anthony Martial to create more attacking threat.

But it was Chelsea who took the lead 11 minutes into first half stoppage time when Giroud flicked a cross by captain Cesar Azpilicueta at De Gea.

The Spaniard failed to get enough of a hand on the ball to stop it spinning over the line.

Chelsea doubled the lead a minute after the restart when Mason Mount pounced on a poor pass by Brandon Williams to shoot from the edge of the box.

It looked like De Gea would make a comfortable save but he could only steer the ball into the net.

“I know David is a very mentally strong goalkeeper and person, but of course he knows he should save that one.

“But that’s part of football,” Solskjaer said, adding that the Spaniard would remain the club’s first-choice goalkeeper.

Manchester United struggled to create any chances to narrow the deficit.

Chelsea sealed the victory when Maguire, under pressure from Antonio Rudiger, connected with a cross from Marcos Alonso with his studs and diverted the ball past the hapless De Gea.

Manchester United scored a consolation goal when Bruno Fernandes converted a penalty kick in the 85th minute.

Solskjaer was left to rue his decision to drop his usual FA Cup goalkeeper Sergio Romero and put De Gea in the starting team.

This was in spite of errors by the Spain goalkeeper earlier this season.

By contrast, Lampard kept faith with his number two goalkeeper Willy Caballero who has been limited mostly to cup appearances for Chelsea this season.

The Argentine had a quiet afternoon with a tired-looking Manchester United rarely threatening.

The win leaves 42-year-old coach Lampard, the club’s record goalscorer, on course for a positive first season in charge of Chelsea.

They look on course to qualify for the UEFA Champions League, possibly alongside Manchester United, as well as reaching the FA Cup final.

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A muddy and bobbly Prenton Park pitch looked the perfect stage for a shock but Tranmere Rovers were blown away as Harry Maguire’s early thunderbolt settled any Manchester United jitters.

Tranmere Rovers had knocked out English Premier League (EPL) Watford in a replay on Thursday.

But apart from an early flurry of pressure they were never in Sunday’s tie as United scored five times before the break.

Diogo Dalot, who like Maguire had not scored all season, made it 2-0 after weaving into the penalty area and delivering a fierce finish.

Later on, Jesse Lingard curled a right-footed shot inside the post for only his second goal of the season.

Phil Jones got in on the act with a looping header from a corner kick, ending his own near six-year goal drought.

Anthony Martial added a fifth goal just before the break.

It was the first time since 2001 that Manchester United had scored five before half-time and they continued the onslaught after the break when Mason Greenwood converted a 56th-minute penalty kick.

Earlier, holders Manchester City beat Championship side Fulham 4-0.

It was a task made easier as Fulham played virtually the whole game with 10 men after Tim Ream was red-carded for conceding a penalty kick converted by Ilkay Gundogan.

Bernardo Silva made it 2-0 and Gabriel Jesus scored twice after the break as Manchester City reached 100 goals for the season in all competitions.

They are the first club to do so in Europe’s top leagues.

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This had occurred during his side’s 1-0 defeat by Derby County in the FA Cup third round on Sunday.

A superb display by Derby County’s skipper Wayne Rooney lit up Selhurst Park but the match would be remembered for Milivojevic’s dismissal, after an off-the-ball clash with Tom Huddlestone.

Milivojevic appeared to kick out at Huddlestone and then pushed his forehead towards Huddlestone.

Both players were initially shown yellow cards but referee Michael Oliver, advised by VAR officials at Stockley Park, then went to his pitch-side monitor to look at the incident again.

Having done so he upgraded Milivojevic’s card to a red.

Since the introduction of VAR in the Premier League this season, referees have waited for VAR decisions to be made by officials at Stockley Park.

It is a situation that has been criticised by players, pundits and fans though.

Crystal Palace manager Roy Hodgson said he felt the decision was harsh and questioned the way the decision had been made.

“I am not surprised the VAR monitors have been used because that’s what people have been talking about: `why don’t we use the monitor more’.

“But as far as the incident is concerned, I think it was a harsh decision.

“I don’t think Huddlestone has made a meal of it to his credit. Not much I can do about it.

“If it’s going to be the referee’s decision, what’s the point of the people in Stockley Park?” he told reporters.

Derby County’s win was masterminded by former Manchester United and England forward Rooney.

He was playing his first FA Cup tie for two years after returning to join Championship side Derby County after a spell with D.C. United in the U.S.

Playing in a deep midfield role, the 34-year-old ran the game in only his second appearance for the Rams.

Chris Martin scored the winner, but it was Rooney’s controlled display that caught the eye.

He had 77 touches in the match, more than any Crystal Palace player, launching pinpoint passes in all directions.

Rooney, who won the FA Cup with Manchester United, was once undermined by his volatile temperament on the pitch, but he was calmness personified, acting as peacemaker, when tempers frayed.

“Rooney influenced the game a lot because you could see his experience.

“I think he did very good. He played (in) a more controlled position.

“A big part of the success today is the combination between him and Tom Huddlestone. It was a pleasure to watch,” Derby County manager Phillip Cocu said of the ex-England captain.

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