Alejandro Garnacho put on a sublime performance to help Man Utd produce one of the comeback football scores of the weekend in the FA Cup. Sunday’s 2-0 victory against Newcastle delivered the Old Trafford giants’ first prize since 2017 in the Carabao Cup but the manager’s immediate advice to his players was “get back to work”. After Said Benrahma gave David Moyes’ West Ham a deserved lead at Old Trafford, United appeared to be brought back down to earth. But, Nayef Aguerd’s 77th-minute own goal launched an incredible comeback, with teenager Garnacho’s magnificent 90th-minute effort followed by Fred’s stoppage-time strike in a 3-1 victory. Their quarter-final match will be held on March 18 and 19.
Among the joyous celebrations was a sense of relief as Ten Hag’s men advanced from the fifth-round tie despite a weak performance, keeping their hopes of a quadruple alive. United started quickly, with Antony missing an attempt before West Ham goalkeeper Alphonse Areola denied Garnacho, who is slated to replace Lukasz Fabianski due to a fractured cheekbone. After a sluggish start, Moyes’ players stepped up and had a wonderful chance to open the scoring midway through the first half. Michail Antonio was let through on goal when Benrahma fizzed a ball between Maguire and Victor Lindelof, but De Gea spread himself well and denied the returning striker’s attempt with a strong right arm. From the resulting corner, Tomas Soucek came dangerously near.
Benrahma was in charge and teed up Emerson Palmieri for a mouthwatering cross, which De Gea then denied Antonio had given away in the first place. As the Hammers had the first chance of the second half, the Spaniard got down brilliantly to prevent Soucek from heading home a long cross from Benrahma, with Weghorst then firing wide at the other end. The teams exchanged attacks in search of an opening, which came in the 54th minute for the visitors. Half-time replacement Casemiro claimed Soucek rolled the ball out of play for a throw-in, and United switched off as play continued, with Emerson cutting back for Benrahma to bend home beautifully.
As the Hammers threatened to take the tie away from the hosts, Pablo Fornals blasted across the face of the goal and Antonio beat newly-introduced Lisandro Martinez. However, Ten Hag’s replacements strengthened this mentally tough group, prompting a late response. Areola saved a well-hit Casemiro shot, and substitute Marcus Rashford shot wide from a distance before Casemiro headed in Fernandes’ free-kick in the 72nd minute. But the celebrations were cut short since the substitution had clearly gone offside, resulting in an unnecessary VAR review. West Ham’s travelling fans savoured that moment, only for their night to quickly devolve after the 77th minute.
It was another Fernandes set piece, with players leaping to meet his corner and visiting defender Aguerd unintentionally headed his own goal. Garnacho had penalty demands denied and Casemiro saw a header saved as the hosts pushed for a late winner, with Fernandes having a dangerous cross cut out. The fervour resulted in two late goals as United clinched victory. Weghorst’s shot was stopped, and the ball looped up in the air, where Garnacho took a touch before coolly curling in front of the Stretford End. Fred added the gloss in the fifth minute of stoppage time, blasting in after Weghorst harassed Aguerd.
“It never occurs. I’ve seen it all before. They arrive, feel a little giddy, and are given a chance. Lots of teams, the Tottenhams of the world, come to Old Trafford, get a few opportunities, get excited, and then get beaten,” Manchester United legend Roy Keane said. “West Ham’s defence was outstanding. In the second half, he was just startling [and] ineffective. They surrendered three goals! Give United credit; you anticipated a backlash. The best games find a way to win. We saw the set-piece delivery and substitution contributions over the weekend. Fred had a goal. Yet nothing we’ve seen tonight has surprised us. West Ham is a farce, as I’ve witnessed over the years. When opportunities present themselves, you must seize them. When it comes to tiny margins, players must perform their job!”
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