FA Cup: United Beat West Ham, Advance To Semis
Manchester United are through to FA Cup semi-finals after defeating West Ham to a 2-1 win in an FA Cup replay match at Upton Park, on Wednesday night.
Marcus Rashford delivered an awesome performance during the match, giving an outstanding individual goal for his team.
The match that seemed goalless in the first half had Rashford break the deadlock in the 54th-minute for his sixth goal for Louis Van Gaal’s side since making his debut two months ago.
Advertisement
Marouane Fellaini followed up Rashford’s opener with another goal in the 67 minute to give the visitor’s a two-goal cushion.
West Ham’s James Tomkins pulled one back for the home side in the 79 minute, however it was not enough for Slaven Bilic’s side as they crashed out of the Emirates FA Cup.
Speaking in a post-match press conference after the game, United Manager, Van Gaal, showered praise on 18-year-old Rashford, applauding the youngster for his outstanding performance during the match.
“It was a great goal. I was behind him on the bench and saw the view, the gap and the corner and I shouted: ‘Shoot!’ but to do it is much more difficult,” Van Gaal Said.
Advertisement
“It was a great goal and a great dribble. I say he always needs to dribble and shoot, he has that quality.
Van Gaal also defended his position as Manchester United manager, which came under increased scrutiny following the performance at Tottenham, and praised his team’s ability to respond to a disappointing defeat.
“I’m happy that, despite that defeat, we can have the spirit this evening, like we showed after the defeat against Liverpool, 2-0 against our biggest enemy, but we came back and were fighting to the end [against West Ham at Old Trafford]. You can’t deny that my team has a lot of fighting spirit.
“I want to win a title in England because I’ve won a title in every country. But I’m not important. The club is important and the players are important.
“I do my work, I do my best and everywhere I have worked I’ve won something. A lot of things have changed in all the clubs where I have worked and because of that I’m here, I’m selected by Manchester United not because I’m a lousy manager.”
Advertisement
United’s will face Everton in the semi-finals of the FA Cup at Wembley on April 23.
