Old Trafford hosted an FA Cup quarter-final between Manchester United and West Ham United on Sunday afternoon.
Both teams had half-chances in the first period, but the Premier League rivals entered the interval on terms.
West Ham took the lead in the 68th minute when Dimitri Payet rattled in a free kick, but Anthony Martial levelled for the home side late on to force a replay.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Afternoon all! Sports Mole's live FA Cup quarter-final coverage continues from Old Trafford and it is an all-Premier League affair as Manchester United welcome West Ham United. The visitors will enter this match in better form, but they have lost on eight of their last nine trips to this stadium in all competitions.
This match will be the 132nd meeting between the two teams in all competitions. Man United have 61 wins to their name, West Ham 42, while the final 28 fixtures have finished level. Man United are also unbeaten in their last nine matches with West Ham since losing 4-0 in the League Cup in 2010.
It is the first FA Cup meeting between the two sides since January 2013, when Man United won a third-round replay 1-0 at Old Trafford following a 2-2 draw at Upton Park. In terms of recent history, the pair played out a 0-0 draw when they clashed in the Premier League at Old Trafford back in December. Right, without further ado, let me bring you up-to-speed with the team news...
TEAMS:
MUFC: De Gea; Varela, Smalling, Blind, Rojo; Carrick, Fellaini; Rashford, Herrera, Lingard; Martial
WUFC: Randolph; Antonio, Reid, Ogbonna, Cresswell; Kouyate, Noble; Emenike, Lanzini, Payet; Carroll
Louis van Gaal has recalled Michael Carrick, Jesse Lingard and Ander Herrera to his starting XI, with Juan Mata missing out through suspension and Morgan Schneiderlin and Memphis Depay dropping to the bench. Marouane Fellaini is once again selected in the middle of the park, while it is the same back five that faced Liverpool. Anthony Martial will one again lead the attack for MUFC.
As for West Ham, Winston Reid has made a timely return to central defence following injuries to James Collins and James Tomkins, while Andy Carroll has been picked to lead the attack. A forward-thinking XI also includes Emmanuel Emenike, Dimitri Payet and Manuel Lanzini. There is also good news on the bench as Enner Valencia and Victor Moses both return from injury problems.
So there we have it. The two teams are in and we are just about 40 minutes from kickoff on this cold afternoon in Manchester. I shall speak about in-form West Ham a little bit later, but let's start with Man United, who really cannot afford to suffer another defeat here. Under-fire Louis van Gaal simply has to get a positive result this afternoon or the knives will be out once again for the Dutchman.
Four straight wins between February 22 and March 2 eased the pressure on Van Gaal, with the Red Devils progressing in both the FA Cup and the Europa League, in addition to beating Arsenal and Watford in the Premier League. They lost 1-0 at West Bromwich Albion in the league last weekend, however, before going down 2-0 at Liverpool on Thursday night in what was a rotten performance.
BREAKING! Watford have beaten Arsenal 2-1 to make the semi-finals of the FA Cup. So, Crystal Palace, Everton and Watford are confirmed as three semi-finalists. Who will join them here?!
Man United still have the chance to turn it around against Liverpool in the second leg of their last-16 Europa League clash on Thursday, but the performance at Anfield drew a whole host of criticism and rightly so - it was nowhere near good enough. There is just no downplaying the importance of the next seven days, with their next league match away to Manchester City on March 20.
Van Gaal's side currently sit sixth in the Premier League table – four points off the top four and there is no getting away from the fact that it has been a very poor league campaign. They have been pretty comfortable in the FA Cup, however, beating Sheffield United, Derby County and Shrewsbury Town to make the quarter-finals. West Ham are a different animal though!
Man United are also 11-time winners of the FA Cup, but they have not won the competition since 2004 and have been eliminated at this stage in their last two attempts. The supporters will want to see a reaction following the Liverpool defeat, but West Ham will be confident of booking a spot at Wembley.
Three-time FA Cup winners West Ham have not lifted this trophy since 1980, while their last appearance in the final was a decade ago, when they famously lost to Liverpool. The Hammers will enter this match off the back of four straight wins, however, and having only lost two of their last 15 games in all competitions. Slaven Bilic really has performed a wonderful job this season.
West Ham's 3-2 win at Everton in the league last weekend saw them jump above Man United in the table and they are just two points off the top four, which is an indication of just how impressive they have been throughout the campaign. Indeed, with a move to a new stadium just around the corner and money available at the end of the season, it is certainly a good time to be a West Ham fan.
In terms of their progression to this stage of the FA Cup, Bilic's side overcame Wolverhampton Wanderers in the third round, before needing a replay to beat Liverpool and set up a fifth-round clash with Blackburn Rovers, who they thumped 5-1 at Ewood Park to ease into the final eight.
While it has been an impressive campaign to date, Bilic will be wary of what his team have to come over the next month. They will face Chelsea and Arsenal in two of their next three league matches and elimination this afternoon could have a knock-on effect. They are also winless in their last nine trips to Old Trafford, but will be full of confidence this time around. Right, prediction time!
PREDICTION! I am finding it difficult to predict a Man United win with any real confidence this afternoon. West Ham will feel that they can outplay the home side and that should present an entertaining game of football in Manchester. I am actually going to back a 1-1 draw, which would of course mean a replay at Upton Park to decide who advances. West Ham might well take that.
Just a reminder of the two teams for this afternoon...
MUFC: De Gea; Varela, Smalling, Blind, Rojo; Carrick, Fellaini; Rashford, Herrera, Lingard; Martial
WUFC: Randolph; Antonio, Reid, Ogbonna, Cresswell; Kouyate, Noble; Emenike, Lanzini, Payet; Carroll
KICKOFF! Here we go then - the pre-match handshakes have been undertaken and the flags have been exchanged. There is no downplaying the importance of this game for both sides. Who will make the semi-finals of the FA Cup? Stay with us to find out! Man United get things underway here...
... Martin Atkinson is the referee this afternoon - let's hope that we are not talking about dodgy decisions at the end of the match! It seems that Blind is playing left-back for Man United, meanwhile, with Rojo inside next to Smalling. It is also Martial left wing and Rashford down the middle.
Super run from Rashford as the Man United youngster bursts away from the West Ham defence, but Ogbonna is across to make the challenge. Moments before, Reid had taken out Martial.
BOOKING! Reid (West Ham) is booked for his troubles.
From the resulting free kick, Fellaini heads over the crossbar. Bright start here.
Another half-chance for Man United as Varela delivers a smart cross into Lingard, but his volley was always moving wide of the post. The home side are on the front foot early on here.
West Ham's first attack sees Cresswell pick out Carroll inside the Man United box, but his effort was always high and wide of the crossbar. Both teams are throwing men forward at the moment.
CHANCE! Super chance for West Ham to take the lead as Carroll sets up Emenike with a through pass, but the on-loan striker can only place his effort just wide of the post!
Payet is next to have a go for West Ham, but his volley from inside the box was always wide of the post. It must be said that the visitors are committing four, five players forward with every break!
You just get the feeling that the first goal - if there indeed is one - is going to be vital this afternoon. Man United are just enjoying a spell of possession inside the West Ham half here.
Just what West Ham would have had in mind as Cresswell drives down the left and picks out the head of Carroll with a super cross, but the striker's effort was always too high. Threat again!
Kouyate is not best pleased with Fellaini as the Man United midfielder seems to lead with his elbow in a high challenge, but the referee takes no action. The home side started quite well, but West Ham are growing in confidence and are finding pockets of space in the final third of the field.
Carroll fails to clear a Man United corner and Rashford has the chance to threaten inside the West Ham box, but the 18-year-old is eventually crowded out and West Ham have a free kick.
Payet has started to drop deep in the last few minutes to pick up the ball, but Man United are enjoying a decent spell and Lingard fires just wide of Randolph's post. Better from the hosts.
Another half-chance for Man United as Varela delivers a super cross into Rashford, but the striker's effort was always over the crossbar. Just a few signs that Man United are warming up here.
CHANCE! Big chance for West Ham as Cresswell delivers onto the head of Emenike, but the striker heads straight at De Gea. Should have done better from that position!
CHANCE! Opportunity for Man United this time as Martial finds Herrera at the far post, but his volley is just deflected wide of the post. The referee says no corner though!
There seems to be a lot of space in wide areas at the moment, with both teams threatening in those positions. Neither side is really on top at the moment as both continue to enjoy spells of possession. It really is the type of game where the first goal could be just crucial!
Martial is giving this West Ham defence plenty to think about at the moment as he continues to use his pace in a wide position, but the visitors have been able to deal with the threat thus far. Man United continue to move the ball quickly in the final third and Varela has so much space down the right.
So, 26 minutes on the clock and it has been a very even quarter-final thus far. Neither manager will be too unhappy with what they have seen at Old Trafford, although the best two chances have fallen to the visitors and indeed Emenike. Both sets of supporters keep up the atmosphere, meanwhile.
CHANCE! Wonderful move from Man United as Rojo combines with Martial before setting up Herrera just inside the West Ham box, but the Spaniard balloons his effort too high!
Another opportunity for the home side as Rashford is the first to react to a loose ball inside the West Ham box, but his effort is deflected over the crossbar. Much better from the home side.
Not an awful lot from West Ham in the last few minutes as Man United continue to look the more dangerous in the final third. It remains 0-0, however, which will be a concern to Louis van Gaal.
BOOKING! Fellaini (Man United) is booked for a pull on Noble.
Emenike has just been flattened by an elbow from his own teammate Carroll!
Poor from Fellaini as the Man United midfielder has the chance to release Martial down the left, but gets it all wrong, which brings groans from the home supporters. Little under 10 minutes of the first period remaining and Man United have been the better team for the last 10, 15 minutes here.
Poor from Man United this time as the home side have the chance to break away, but are instead forced back and Herrera delivers straight into the arms of Randolph. Not good enough!
It must be said that there is an awful lot of space out on the pitch at the moment. Neither team is really compact, which is inviting the opposition to burst forward. The Man United fans are not too pleased with Atkinson once again as he points for a West Ham free kick in a dangerous area.
Scramble inside the Man United box as Antonio and Carroll both swing their boot at the ball, but the home side manage to clear it. There was real manic inside the home side's box there!
Rashford and Martial once again link in the final third, but the move breaks down at the final moment, much to the disappointment of the home supporters. Story of the season to be truthful!
I should not think that there will be too much added time at the end of this first period.
Super handling from De Gea as the Spaniard plucks a low Cresswell cross away from danger.
HALF-TIME: Man United 0-0 West Ham
So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to a close with the two teams level at 0-0. Both sides have had opportunities to make the breakthrough, but there has only been one attempt on target and that came for West Ham, with Emenike heading a Cresswell cross at De Gea.
STATISTICS! Man United have shaded the possession with 56%, while they have had eight attempts, but not yet managed to hit the target. West Ham, as mentioned, have hit the target with one of their seven attempts. One yellow apiece, meanwhile, with Reid and Fellaini in the book.
BENCH WATCH! Man United boss Louis van Gaal has the likes of Memphis and Adnan Januzaj on his bench this afternoon, while Schweinsteiger is also available for the Dutchman. West Ham, meanwhile, have plenty of forward options in the shape of Valencia, Moses and Sakho.
Massive 45 minutes coming up for this man it must be said...
RESTART! Here we go then - both sets of players re-join us on the pitch for the second period. Will we have a breakthrough at Old Trafford? Let's find out! West Ham resume the action here...
... no changes from either side at the break, which is not too much of a surprise. However, I suspect that both managers will have alterations in mind as the second period develops here.
It just has not been good enough from Man United in the final third this afternoon and that is continuing as Lingard fails to slide a pass into Rashford under little pressure. Varela continues to make good ground down the right, but the overall quality has been lacking in this match.
Rojo attempts to release Martial down the left, but Reid is across to put his body in the way and win the free kick. Still much of the same in this second period, neither side really threatening!
Better from Man United in the last couple of minutes as they continue to put the pressure on this West Ham defence. The home side want a penalty as Herrera smashes a cross at Ogbonna, but it hit the Italian in the chest. Van Gaal's side have to find a way of making this pressure count!
Good grief Fellaini fails to clear inside his own box and the midfielder is lucky that Rojo is on the cover to hack clear under pressure from Carroll. All a bit manic at the moment here.
BOOKING! Payet (West Ham) is booked for a clip on Lingard.
Another penalty shout for the home side as Herrera delivers onto the head of Martial from a free kick, but the referee is just not interested. Still more than 30 minutes of football to play here.
SAVE! Randolph gets down to keep out a free kick from Herrera.
BOOKING! Kouyate (West Ham) is booked for a foul on Lingard.
PENALTY SHOUT! Another shout for United - this time it is a big one! Reid looks to block Herrera's shot with his arms, but the referee says no. Looked one to me!
SAVE! Randolph gets down to keep out Rashford from a wide angle as the home side continue to threaten. This is much better from Man United as the hour mark passes here.
WEST HAM SUB! Obiang replaces Reid for the away side.
Man United are very much on the front foot at the moment, but they really need to take one of their chances. Martial and Rashford continue to look dangerous in the final third and West Ham are actually going to make another change - Sakho - in a bid to turn the tide at Old Trafford.
WEST HAM SUB! Sakho replaces Emenike for West Ham.
PENALTY SHOUT! Massive penalty shout for West Ham this time as Rojo challenges Payet inside the box, but the referee says no thank you and play continues!
Oh it looked one. West Ham probably should have had a penalty there!
Blind fells Payet and West Ham have a free kick in a dangerous area here...
... GOAL! Man United 0-1 West Ham (Payet)
Payet lines up the free kick from all of 30 yards and finds the back of the net via the post. De Gea did his best to claw it away, but it was too good from the Frenchman and West Ham lead here.
BOOKING! Carrick (Man United) is booked for a late challenge on Lanzini.
Little over 15 minutes of this quarter-final remaining and Man United need something from one of their big players. Memphis and Januzaj are both on the bench for the Red Devils.
You sense that there might be one big chance in this for Man United, but I am not sure that they have enough about them to take it. West Ham are also a serious threat on the counter attack.
Blind has a low free kick deflected wide of the post for a corner...
... MAN UNITED SUBS! Memphis and Schweinsteiger replace Fellaini and Rashford.
Varela and Payet race for the ball as West Ham threaten on the counter, but the Man United defender does enough, before Herrera has an effort blocked by Cresswell down the other end.
Schweinsteiger fires one into the stands as West Ham survive another spell of pressure.
BOOKING! Antonio (West Ham) is booked for a foul on Schweinsteiger.
Backs against the wall for West Ham at the moment as the home side continue to put the pressure on and you sense that one more chance will fall. It is a massive 10 minutes for Man United here.
WEST HAM SUB! Valencia replaces Carroll in West Ham's third change.
GOAL! Man United 1-1 West Ham (Martial)
All square! Man United level the scores in the 83rd minute as Martial does brilliant to turn a Herrera cross into the back of the net from a tight angle. What a time to do that!
The home supporters can feel a winning goal here! West Ham cannot seem to settle on the ball, but they have such a threat on the counter and Man United will need to be very, very careful here.
Memphis sets up Rojo inside the West Ham box, but the left-back curls over!
CLOSE! Carrick's low strike just misses the left-hand post!
MAN UNITED SUB! Darmian replaces Varela for the home side.
The ball bounces around inside the West Ham box, but Rojo fires over the crossbar!
Three minutes of added time to be played here.
SAVE! De Gea gets down to keep out a strike from Antonio!
Smalling heads a Payet corner behind for another set piece as West Ham press late on here.
Yet another West Ham corner...
... Antonio fires home for West Ham, but the right-back was well offside.
FULL-TIME: Man United 1-1 West Ham
So there we have it. These two teams will have to do it all again in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup following a 1-1 draw at Old Trafford. It was a really entertaining game and there is no doubt that Man United deserved to level late on. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action. Until next time!
