Louis van Gaal pleased with Manchester United defence against West Ham United

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal has singled out the Red Devils' defence after watching his side overcome West Ham United in tonight's FA Cup quarter-final replay at the Boleyn Ground.

Van Gaal's side hung on for a 2-1 victory in East London, keeping quiet Andy Carroll, who scored a hat-trick against Arsenal on Saturday, for much of the contest.

"We played defensively very well," Van Gaal told BBC Sport. "We didn't give so much away. They lost the ball a lot of times and I believe with a bit more composure we could have finished it much earlier.

"I said at half time we had to show composure in the third and fourth phase. We did that better but I still believe we could have finished the game earlier."

Marcus Rashford curled home the opener from the edge of the area for his sixth Red Devils goal since breaking into the team less than two months ago.

Reflecting on the 18-year-old's finish into the top corner, Van Gaal added: "Yes. I was on the bench behind his shot. I saw the corner of the goal and I thought you have to shoot and he did but it is much more difficult than you think."

United take on Everton at Wembley in the semi-finals in 10 days' time.