Manchester United have beaten West Ham 3-1 at Old Trafford to reach the FA Cup quarter-finals. Here is a look at five things we learned from the game…
Top stars required to jolt team after flat performance
Erik ten Hag rotated the team, sensibly using his squad amid a relentless fixture list and upcoming game at Liverpool this weekend. But he won’t have been thrilled with what he saw.
The first half was flat, with pundit Roy Keane insisting at half-time the mood was too celebratory, with awards being handed out shortly before kick-off.
Erik ten Hag had seen enough by half-time and called on Casemiro, substituting Scott McTominay. This was a missed opportunity for McTominay, in just his third start of 2023 and first since January.
He completed only 18 passes in 45 minutes and was booked, with Casemiro brought on to partner Marcel Sabitzer.
Before the hour mark, Lisandro Martinez and Marcus Rashford were also brought on. Erik ten Hag had hoped not to need them, but a flat performance meant his top stars were all needed.
Refereeing error goes against United
Last season Manchester United were knocked out of the FA Cup by Middlesbrough after one of the most blatant handball decisions you will ever see, went unpunished for their goal.
This time around an error contributed to West Ham taking the lead. The ball appeared to clearly go out of play on the flank, and as United’s players appealed for it, the visitors took advantage.
Said Benrahma curled the ball into the corner, but the goal should not have counted. VAR checked it but did not overrule the decision. Replays showed this was the wrong call, with United bearing the brunt.
It wasn’t United’s night for decisions, with a 72nd minute header from Casemiro ruled out for offside. United had to get this won the hard way.
Own goal needed to help United’s attack
While opportunities were few and far between, the ones United did get were wasted, with 14 shots in the first 70 minutes.
Thankfully West Ham did United a favour, with Naif Aguerd heading a Bruno Fernandes corner into his own net.
Aguerd was under pressure from Wout Weghorst, who went yet another game without scoring himself. A clinical striker would make a big difference for United.
While he was not scoring, Weghorst played a key role. He had a hand in all three of United’s goals. If only he could add a few of his own, he would be perfect.
Garnacho wears Hammers down
Alejandro Garnacho started the game and grew more menacing as the match dragged on. His quick acceleration caused several problems for West Ham down the left hand side.
West Ham had to resort to fouling him on a couple of occasions, while Garnacho also had a penalty appeal which was not given.
Garnacho’s fitness levels are strong, and as West Ham weakened, he grew into he game more and more. The teenager’s game still requires some refinement, but he kept going, and got his reward at the end.
The Argentine scored the winner in the 90th minute, keeping his composure after the ball fell to him in the box, curling it coolly into the bottom corner. It wasn’t an easy strike, he just made it look that way.
Fred wrapped the game up in injury time after great work from Wout Weghorst to set it up.
Trophy hopes go on
With one trophy already wrapped up, Manchester United’s pursuit of more silverware continues. The team are now into the FA Cup quarter-finals, and the draw is really opening up.
This is also momentum for the team to take into the weekend game against Liverpool in the Premier League.
There is a chance United win more trophies to add to the Carabao Cup. The fixture congestion and distant dreams of a quadruple continue. We would settle for a double of course, of any combination.
This late show was just another magic moment in a magic first season for Erik ten Hag, with a home draw in the quarter-finals against Fulham awaiting.
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