Manchester United will have to play a replay against West Ham United after a 1-1 draw with the Hammers, but they will take it considering they were trailing until the last 10 minutes of the game.
The game burst into life in the second half as Dimitri Payet scored a brilliant free kick that beat David De Gea with 20 minutes to play. But United fought back admirably as Anthony Martial ensured United at least got the replay after tapping home from close range in the 82nd minute.
Squads:
Manchester United: De Gea; Varela, Smalling, Blind, Rojo; Carrick, Fellaini; Rashford, Herrera, Lingard; Martial.
West ham United: Randolph; Antonio, Reid, Ogbonna, Cresswell; Kouyate, Noble; Emenike, Lanzini, Payet; Carroll.
First Half: United and West Ham fall short in the final third
Manchester United came into the match on the back of a lacklustre defeat to Liverpool in the Europa League. Several former players including Paul Scholes and Rio Ferdinand were critical of United’s performance but Louis Van Gaal brushed them aside. In any case, United needed a strong performance to get back on the winning road.
The manager named Marcus Rashford in the starting line-up once again as he was restored to his central striking position with Martial playing on the left wing. Marouane Fellaini Ander Herrea and Michael Carrick made up the midfield as the defence remained unchanged in a 4-3-3 formation.
West Ham started with big Andy Caroll up front with Dmitri Payet being their main source of creativity.
The visitors started the brighter creating two early chances. Aaron Creswell first whipped in a cross into the box which Caroll got his head to but couldn’t direct on target. Next it was Emenike who threatened after he dragged his shot wide from inside the box on the right flank after Carroll had put him through.
Their best chance came in the 18th minute as Creswell once again found Emmanuel Emenike with time and space in the box but his header was straight at De Gea when either side of the keeper he would’ve scored.
United came close just after the 20-minute mark after a smooth move led to Marcus Rojo cutting it back for Herrera on the edge of the box but he sent his shot sailing over the bar. The remaining part of the half petered out as both teams failed to produce quality in the final third.
Second Half: West Ham take the lead but United fight back
The second half saw West Ham threaten almost immediately as De Gea had to punch away a dangerous whipped in ball from Antonio. United then had a claim for a penalty, after Martial’s header from Herrera’s free kick hit Antonio on the arm but it was unintentional.
United had another shout for handball after Herrera’s drive was blocked off by Reid but once again the contact was not on purpose. The game finally got its opening goal in the 68th minute.
Dmitri Payet was fouled just around 25 yards from the edge of the box. The Frenchman stepped up to take it himself and curled in a wonderful effort that hit the underside of the crossbar in the top left corner giving De Gea no chance whatsoever.
United started to push for an equalizer as West Ham sat back. It looked like they wouldn’t be able to find a way through as the away side defended rigorously for the last part of the game.
But in the 82nd minute their resistance was broken. A swift passing move led to Herrera clipping the ball to the far post from the left and Martial showed great determination to get ahead of his marker and put it into the net as Old Trafford erupted.
West Ham started to lose the plot as United pushed for the winner. Both Carrick and Depay had chances to clinch the game but West Ham saw out the late pressure to hang on for the draw. United will now have to travel to Upton Park for the replay, a game they definitely did not want but will gladly take.
