Hello, and welcome to
Sports Mole's live coverage of the
FA Cup sixth-round replay between
West Ham United and
Manchester United.
It has been exactly a month since West Ham secured a 1-1 draw against Manchester United but over the next few hours, we will finally find out who will join Everton, Crystal Palace and Watford in the semi-finals of the FA Cup. If the first tie is anything to go by, we should be in for a cracking match.
Without further ado, let's take a look at the team news emerging from Upton Park. There's some interesting selections from both managers...
WEST HAM UNITED XI: Randolph; Antonio, Tomkins, Ogbonna, Cresswell; Kouyaté, Noble; Payet, Lanzini, Valencia; Carroll
WEST HAM UNITED SUBSTITUTES: Adrian, Obiang, Collins, Moses, Emenike, Hendrie, Oxford
MANCHESTER UNITED XI: De Gea; Fosu-Mensah, Smalling, Blind, Rojo; Carrick, Fellaini; Lingard, Herrera, Martial; Rashford
MANCHESTER UNITED SUBSTITUTES: Romero, Valencia, Young, Schneiderlin, Mata, Memphis, Rooney
Right then...where do we start? Let's take a look at the West Ham United side first, with
Slaven Bilic making two alterations to the side which started against Arsenal last weekend. Darren Randolph and Enner Valencia both come into the team, with Adrian and Winston Reid dropping out. Unsurprisingly,
Andy Carroll gets the nod in attack after his hat-trick on Saturday afternoon.
As for Manchester United, there is a welcome return to the substitutes' bench for captain Wayne Rooney after he returning from injury in an Under-21 game on Monday night. Juan Mata also features on the bench, although unlike his teammate, he has been dropped.
Marcus Rashford starts, despite his half-time substitution against Tottenham Hotspur, and he is joined in the team by Marouane Fellaini.
HEAD TO HEAD! Tonight's fixture represents the 133rd time that the two teams have met in a competitive match, with West Ham winning 42 times compared to 61 victories for Man United. The Hammers hold a shocking recent record against the North-West giants however - they have won just one of the last 18 meetings in all competitions - but the small consolation is that it came in a cup tie in 2010.
You will recall that Man United found themselves caught up in heavy traffic on Sunday afternoon ahead of their fixture with Tottenham Hotspur and fortunately, they have endured no such trouble tonight. However, West Ham have been quick to joke about their prompt arrival.
Followers of the Premier League will know that these two teams have spent much of the season separated by the smallest of margins and it appears as though they will be going toe-to-toe for fifth position providing that they win their game in hand to move clear of Southampton. Both still have faint hopes of securing fourth place and a likely place in the Champions League but progression in this competition would at least take them a step nearer to winning the famous trophy at Wembley Stadium in May and with it, a spot in the Europa League.
Rather than seeing the FA Cup as a route into Europe, both teams will be more driven to win the trophy for the first time in quite a while. United haven't won the trophy since 2004 - a lengthy period given that they have previously won the competition on 11 occasions - while you have to go all the way until 1980 for the last time the Hammers were celebrating at Wembley.
A major talking point over the last few days has been whether
Andy Carroll should be included in England's Euro 2016 squad after his quick-fire treble against Arsenal. There are several reasons why Roy Hodgson will be inclined to leave the target man at home but one thing that has gone unnoticed is the fact that each of the 27-year-old's seven goals this season have come against high-quality teams. As well as three goals against the Gunners, he has scored point-gaining goals against Chelsea and efforts against Southampton and Liverpool too. He could prove to be a valuable asset to the Three Lions if he can continue his recent run of form and above all else, stay fit.
The main talking point coming from the United dressing room is the return to the squad of Rooney. It seems a bold move from
Louis van Gaal seeing as his captain played an hour for the reserves on Monday night but given their capitulation against Spurs, maybe he feels that the squad will benefit from his presence. He cannot afford to be rushed, however. United need him for the run-in with Rooney potentially being the difference between Champions qualification and fifth place.
As well as the game from Upton Park, we also have coverage of both of the remaining second legs in the Champions League quarter-finals. You can find the two games by clicking
here.
Here is the prediction of West Ham supporter Ray Winstone. Want to read about mine, too?
PREDICTION! This has all the makings of a close cup tie. West Ham have recorded draws in each of their last four games in all competitions and United will be keen to restore some respectability after succumbing 3-0 at Spurs. We are backing a score draw after normal time but for the Hammers to seal progress to the last four in extra-time.
The two teams have made their way out onto the pitch at Upton Park. This is the last FA Cup tie to be played at the Boleyn Ground so it can't disappoint...
West Ham get us underway!
Man United dominate the possession during the opening 90 seconds until Fellaini gives the ball away. That allows West Ham to break rapidly through Antonio before a Valencia cross is cleared away for a corner. Nothing comes it but it has been a terrific start.
CHANCE! Carroll is already showing that he has the strength to out-muscle Blind. It could be a long night for the Dutchman. Moments after Carroll's first contribution, Valencia is played in on the left side of the penalty area but his shot is poor and straight at De Gea. That was a chance.
Smalling hauls down Lanzini on the left-hand side of the penalty area and although the set piece is low and cleared, United don't want to be doing that too often. That said, a minute later and Fosu-Mensah gives away another...
SHOT! That was ambitious from Payet but you cannot blame him for trying. Instead of whipping the ball into the box, he opts to shoot towards the near post but it is too close to De Gea.
Man United have barely had a kick so far. Van Gaal's clipboard will soon be out.
West Ham appear to have targeted Fosu-Mensah in United's right-back position and the pressure is starting to build. This is a big test for the youngster. Up the other end, I think Rashford is still awaiting his first touch.
Now he has, but the forward's goal-bound shot is deflected away for a corner. It's taken by Blind but it is easily cleared by the West Ham defence and the ball ends up back with De Gea.
SAVE! United have improved in the last few minutes and they come mightily close to taking the lead through Fellaini, who had ghosted into the penalty area. His deflected shot from 12 yards appeared destined for the roof of the net but Randolph was able to acrobatically tip the ball over the crossbar.
Since kickoff, Fellaini has been afforded plenty of time and space. I'm not sure if it's because West Ham cannot keep hold of him or because they don't rate him...
Most of the play is now coming inside the West Ham half with United pressing the Hammers every time they secure possession. It has been an impressive response from United because they were in danger of being over-powered during the early stages.
BOOKING! The first booking of the game goes to Carrick who is cautioned after upending Payet. You can see why the foul has been given but it is a harsh yellow card.
A few moments ago, Lanzini wasted a chance from inside the penalty area but this has been a game of very few opportunities so far. That said, it hasn't been a bad game. It's very competitive.
United win a couple of corners in quick succession and it takes a towering header from Carroll for the ball to be cleared. West Ham attempt to break before the move is stopped by Carrick unfairly. It's not a challenge worthy of a yellow card but he needs to be careful.
CHANCE! For the second time this half, Randolph keeps West Ham on level terms. Rashford does superbly to set up Lingard but the English midfielder places his low effort from inside the penalty area too close to the goalkeeper, who is able to stick out a leg.
It's tipping it down in East London. Van Gaal has put his coat on, while Bilic has donned a woolly hat to go with his suit. It's a unique look.
SHOT! West Ham could do with half time. They don't necessarily look like conceding a goal but they definitely don't look like scoring one. United have another chance through Carrick but his left-foot volley from 25 yards bobbles just wide of the post.
In the space of 30 seconds, Payet over-hits a cross and miscues a back-heel. He's human!
There will be one minute of added-on time.
HALF TIME: West Ham United 0-0 Manchester United
The first half at Upton Park was extended due to yellow cards for Rojo and Carroll but we finally reach the break with the score still goalless. United have had the better of the play and should be ahead, but West Ham can only get better in the second period and will still fancy their chances of progression to the last four.
The winners of this tie will play Everton in the semi-finals but the Toffees are in action in the Premier League this evening away at Crystal Palace. You can follow that game by clicking
here.
The game at Upton Park is back underway. There have been no changes for either side.
You would have expected a fast start to the second half from West Ham but it has been all United. The visitors looked like they were about to get in down the right but an excellent block from Cresswell got rid of the danger.
SHOT! A sustained spell of pressure from United ends with Lingard drilling a swerving effort towards goal but it drifts just wide of the near post. Bilic cannot be happy with this start.
SHOT! West Ham finally get out of their own half and Kouyate takes the opportunity to get a long-range shot in on goal. It's speculative but De Gea pulls off a solid save low down to his right.
GOAL! West Ham United 0-1 Manchester United (Rashford)
When Marcus Rashford is scoring goals like this, it makes you wonder why he only lasted 45 minutes at White Hart Lane on Sunday. After receiving the ball from Martial, the young forward advanced towards goal before flicking the ball onto his right foot and curling a superb effort into the top corner with the aid of the woodwork. It's a cracking finish and West Ham are up against it now.
United are soon pushing for a second but up the other end, Blind avoids a penalty appeal against him after Payet went to ground. Nothing more than good defending there.
Bit more possession for West Ham now but they are doing little with it. Kouyate tries his luck with another shot from outside the box but it goes several yards over the crossbar. Victor Moses is on for Valencia for West Ham.
Frustration is already audible from the Upton Park crowd. Their side look like they need some belief. They haven't won for over a month and it is beginning to show.
GOAL! West Ham United 0-2 Manchester United (Fellaini)
Game over? United take a 2-0 lead through Fellaini. The Belgian had initially fired the ball across goal but after Martial's shot was partially blocked, it ricocheted off the midfielder who managed to bundle it into the corner.
You have to say that United fully deserve their advantage - they have been excellent. I wonder if an FA Cup triumph will ne enough to keep Van Gaal in a job for another 12 months?
SUBSTITUTION! Bilic has decided to go two up top with Emmanuel Emenike replacing Lanzini, who has been quiet by his own high standards.
Ander Herrera has been receiving treatment for an injury and Noble has taken it upon himself to carry him off the pitch. I think that was unnecessary. The midfielder looked genuinely injured. No yellow card from the referee.
GOAL! West Ham United 1-2 Manchester United (Tomkins)
After an unbelievable from De Gea to deny Antonio, West Ham score from the resulting corner. The set piece is headed back across goal by Carroll and Tomkins dives in bravely to head into the net from six yards. Game on!
United need to find a way of calming down the play. West Ham are beginning to throw men forward and look like they believe they can find an equaliser. Martial is starting to look a bit isolated in attack.
This has been a better period for United, though. West Ham have given away a couple of fouls and it has allowed the visitors to occupy positions in the corners to eat up a bit of time.
CHANCE! Is that the chance for West Ham? A cross from Cresswell is met by Carroll but despite the forward towering over the United defence, he can only send his header a yard over the bar.
CHANCE! Oh my word. What a save from de Gea. Kouyate out-muscled two United defenders before being denied by De Gea from 10 yards. Seconds later, Carroll saw a volley parried by the Spaniard before Kouyate headed home the rebound. However, he was marginally offside! Agonisingly close for West Ham.
There will be four minutes of added-on time.
Payet has an opportunity with a 25-yard free kick but it is deflected wide for a corner. The set piece is delivered to the edge of the penalty area for Noble but his volley goes miles wide.
FULL TIME: West Ham United 1-2 Manchester United
The full-time whistle has gone at Upton Park and Man United have held on to secure a place on the semi-finals of the FA Cup at the expense of West Ham. It was a terrific cup tie but United just above deserved to progress through to a last-four encounter with Everton.
That will be all from Sports Mole but we hope that you can stick around for the Champions League and Premier League commentaries that are currently ongoing. Goodbye for now!