FA Cup Quarter-Final Replay: West Ham 1 United 2

Just when you thought the season was grinding to a disappointing close, United went to the Boleyn Ground and pulled off a memorably victory that keeps hopes alive of a triumphant end of the season in the FA Cup.

After weathering some early pressure from the home team, the Reds gradually gained control of the first half but frustratingly failed to capitalise on the chances created.   Both Fellaini and Lingard drew saves out of Randolph while Carrick was enjoying the freedom to dictate play from midfield in a manner that's been all too rare this season.

There will have been concerns among Reds fans that United's failure to find the net in that first half meant we'd blown our opportunity.  However, after half-time the Reds came out with even greater purpose.  It was, predictably, Marcus Rashford who broke the deadlock.  The young forward had a fine all-round game and his sixth goal for United was the best yet.  Finding himself on the edge of the penalty area, he curled a superb shot just inside the far post to give Randolph no chance.

There was a cavalier swagger about this United team that has been absent during so much of the season.  Following the goal they continued to press and their dominance brought further reward when Lingard's cross to the far post found Martial, who managed to prod the ball across the goal for Fellaini to score with his knee.

Until then, United's impressive performance was matched only by an uncharacteristically insipid effort from West Ham.  Bilic's team rarely get through ninety minutes without offering some kind of threat though and, with Moses coming off the bench to add further drive to their midfield, they began to find their way into the game.  Their pressure was met, predictably, by stubborn resistance from De Gea but the keeper could do nothing when, from the corner that resulted from his fine save from Antonio, Tomkins steered a brave header past him.

It set up a frantic last ten minutes or so.  De Gea was forced to make a couple of further saves to keep West Ham at bay but the Reds showed enormous character and resilience to see out the tie and set up a semi-final at Wembley against Everton.   2015-16 has been a pretty dismal season for United fans, but there remains the prospect it may well redeem itself gloriously in the final stages.