Manchester United have qualified for the quarter finals of the FA Cup. For a while it looked as if manager Erik ten Hag’s team would be eliminated by West Ham United, but in the final quarter of an hour the 0-1 deficit was turned into a victory: 3-1. An own goal from Nayef Aguerd, a wonderful goal from Alejandro Garnacho and a goal from Fred neutralized Saïd Benrahma’s opening goal.
Ten Hag decided to change his team in no less than six places after winning the EFL Cup with Manchester United. Lisandro Martínez and Raphaël Varane made way at center back for Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelöf respectively, while Tyrell Malacia started at left back at the expense of Luke Shaw. In midfield, Casemiro and Fred were replaced by Scott McTominay and Marcel Sabitzer; Fernandes kept his spot. Weghorst was at the forefront and had Antony standing next to him on the right. On the left flank, Marcus Rashford was replaced by Garnacho.
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The satellite connection was lost for 20 seconds and you’ll never guess… We just missed this great goal from West Ham, apologies (but what a goal ??)!#ZiggoSport #MNUWHU #ErrorCanHappen pic.twitter.com/6Q0EHCIBhi— Ziggo Sport Football (@ZS_Voetbal) March 1, 2023
After a dangerous shot from Sabitzer in the sixth minute of play, which was caught with some difficulty by goalkeeper Alphonse Areola, Manchester United’s urge to attack fell away. West Ham United created more danger in the first half and tested goalkeeper David De Gea several times. The latter was worth gold when he prevented Mikhail Antonio from winning the one-on-one situation. From the corner that followed, Declan Rice headed just wide. A few minutes before the break, De Gea was again important for his team: this time he took a hard and low slider from Antonio.
Man United’s final first-half effort came from the foot of Garnacho, who lashed out after a pass from Antony and a step from Fernandes, but shot just wide of the goal. In the second act, De Gea again showed himself at least twice with an excellent save. First he tapped a Tomás Soucek header from the bottom corner; then he again prevented Antonio from scoring. In between, Weghorst also tried his luck on the other side, but the striker’s shot did not end up between the posts.
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Unfortunately not… Wout is not the last to touch him, own goal by Aguerd ??
Well 1-1! ??#ZiggoSport #MNUWHU pic.twitter.com/L9wda8Ybv1— Ziggo Sport Football (@ZS_Voetbal) March 1, 2023
Benrahma managed to beat De Gea in the 54th minute of play. He was played by Emerson in the sixteen and then curled the ball beautifully into the intersection with his right: 0-1. Substitute Casemiro thought he would level the score more than twenty minutes before the end with a striking header; however, his goal was disallowed for offside. Five minutes later, Aguerd’s own goal did stand. After a corner from Fernandes, West Ham’s centre-back headed the ball behind Areola: 1-1.
In the final phase, United increased the pressure and the number of great opportunities increased. For example, Casemiro hit Areala with a strong header and substitute Martínez also failed to promote his respective goal attempt. The spell was finally broken in the ninetieth minute of play. A blocked shot by Weghorst ended up at the feet of Garnacho, who put the ball ready for his right and found the 2-1 with a placed shot. Deep in injury time, Fred sealed West Ham’s fate on a pass from Weghorst: 3-1.