Manchester United booked an Emirates FA Cup semi-final date with Everton at Wembley by impressively overcoming West Ham United in a thrilling sixth-round replay at Upton Park.
In the last-ever cup tie at the Hammers’ historic home, a wonderful goal by Marcus Rashford and a close-range strike by the recalled Marouane Fellaini put the Reds in control in the second half.
James Tomkins’ header led to a nervy final 10 minutes, with David De Gea producing more heroics, but the visitors held out to stay on course for a 12th triumph in football’s oldest knockout competition, and there was further good news late on when Wayne Rooney returned after two months out through injury.
West Ham started the brighter of the two teams and Enner Valencia found himself in space in the box but shot weakly at De Gea. But the Reds gradually settled into the game, with Fellaini firing a shot that flicked off Angelo Ogbonna’s boot and was then tipped over by Darren Randolph.
Half-chances came and went for both sides but the best opening arrived for Rashford 10 minutes before the interval. The 18-year-old escaped two markers superbly and played Jesse Lingard through on goal, but Randolph came out to block the winger’s attempt. Soon after, with the visitors now on top and the rain teeming down in East London, an unmarked Rashford couldn’t connect cleanly with Tim Fosu-Mensah’s cross and the sides went in level.
