FA Cup

DONNY VAN DE BEEK’S latest dim display looked all the gloomier when contrasted with that of match-winning sub Scott McTominay as Manchester United scraped into the FA Cup quarter-finals.
Here’s how we rated Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s jaded-looking team in a forgettable 1-0 win after extra time against dogged, defensive West Ham.

Match-winning Man Utd sub Scott McTominay celebrates his goal after making a big impact against West HamCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd

Man Utd’s big summer buy Donny van de Beek again failed to impress, often looking lost on a rare start before being taken offCredit: Getty Images – Getty

Man Utd left-back Alex Telles marauded forward well, especially in the first halfCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Dean Henderson – 6/10

Totally untroubled almost throughout.
But the Euro 2021 hopeful kept his concentration to easily catch a header that menacing West Ham sub Said Behnrahma directed straight at him when the visitors hunted in vain for an extra-time leveller.
But this shot-shy night was not the time to judge Henderson’s claims to replace David De Gea as United’s first-choice keeper.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka – 7
Comfortable evening for the uncapped right-back.

Athletically hooked the ball away from almost the line when Southampton threatened from a 90th-minute corner.
Was replaced by Brandon Williams in the 90th minute, but that was all about keeping him fresh over anything to do with his performance.
Victor Lindelof – 7
One fine, firm downward header forced Lukasz Fabianski into a brilliant full-stretch tip-around from virtually the only clear chance of the opening period.
Also made a couple of useful blocks later on when the Hammers sporadically came close to creating a few half-chances.

Harry Maguire – 7
Rarely tested but still strong at the back – the figurehead as and when needed.
Bustled forward when he could, but it was unfair to expect the skipper to make up for his team-mates’ timidity further forward.
Alex Telles – 7
Lively display from left-back, especially in the first half, when he was always pressing to overlap.
The Brazilian and Luke Shaw are pushing themselves all the way for this position.
And he was understandably replaced by Shaw, in the 90th minute, as Solskjaer protected his tiring legs.
Fred – 5
Steady enough, but United needed more than that from their midfield.
And they only got it once McTominay and Fernandes came on.
Nemanja Matic – 5
Did little wrong but equally little to persuade Solskjaer he should be starting more regularly in the Prem, rather than just in the FA Cup.
Was replaced by Scott McTominay in the 73rd minute when Solskjaer was clearly keen to up the tempo.
Donny van de Beek – 5
Looked lost at times, seemingly nervous and uncertain of his role – but that might be as much a criticism of United’s tactics as of the Dutchman himself.
Was keen to find gaps, running on and off the ball in front of a crowded West Ham defence.
But in reality his involvement was peripheral and usually docile, way off the impact he needs to break into the team regularly.
Damningly, he was never the pivot for United’s attacks, never the man his team-mates looked to.
Appeared resigned to his fate when United signalled substitutions on 73 minutes, and indeed was promptly taken off, replaced by Bruno Fernandes.
Mason Greenwood – 6
Briefly lit up a gloomy first half with a nifty, touch, turn and nutmeg of Mark Noble.
But that was in a harmless area of the pitch – just like much of his play. Was replaced by fellow frontman Edinson Cavani on 86 minutes.
Marcus Rashford – 7
Flitted dangerously at times but mostly too far from the danger area.
Lacked the decisiveness of a true striker when a loose ball dropped to him early in the second period, enabling Fabianski to block a sidefoot shot.
But he looked as if he could make a decisive intervention if fed inside the box – and pretty much proved that with his lovely flick for McTominay’s winner.
Anthony Martial – 6
Another of United’s attackers who spent too long on the fringes.
He too was more a victim than a culprit of the home side’s plodding performance and lack of creativity.
Steered a late extra-time effort too close to Fabianski.
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Edinson Cavani (for Greenwood, 86 mins) – 6
A few classy touches and also looked a more natural focal point for the frontline, reflecting both his experience and the fact Martial and Rashford are not out-and-out centre-forwards
Bruno Fernandes (for Van de Beek, 73 mins) – 6
A clear and instant improvement on what went before, flickering menacingly on the fringes of United’s attack
Scott McTominay (for Matic, 73 mins) – 8
Immediately injected energy and drive.
And his timing was as perfect as his confidence when he clinically slotted the only goal eight minutes into extra time, following Rashford’s neat touch.
That’s the Scot’s seventh goal in a season where his all-round game and stature have matured impressively.
Luke Shaw (for Telles, 90 mins) – 6
Fitted in as seamlessly as you would expect at left-back from one of the Prem’s most in-form defenders
Brandon Williams (for Wan-Bissaka, 90 mins) – 6
A rare bit of game-time for the youngster this season. Little direct impact, but not much need for it.
Subs not used: Grant, Diallo, James, Tuanzebe.

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RED-FACED Burnley axed Erik Pieters at the last minute from their FA Cup defeat to Bournemouth – after remembering he was SUSPENDED.
The Clarets faced being been thrown out of the tournament for fielding an ineligible player had Dutch left-back Pieters taken part.

Suspended Erik Pieters was only withdrawn from the Burnley line-up shortly before tonight’s kick-off against BournemouthCredit: Getty Images – Getty

But instead academy product Anthony Glennon came into the side for the last-16 home clash.
Burnley announced on social media the change was “due to an administrative error” – but fans pounced on the blunder.
One said: “That is embarrassing” – while many others were baffled, with their responses including “Wow!”
But posts like this spelled it out: “The club are fully aware of the rules! But yes if he played they would be charged with fielding an ineligible player – normally kicked out if found guilty.”

The Clarets were aiming to reach the quarter-finals for the first time since 2002-03 – but fell to the Championship side 2-0.
Supporters on social media were proved right when they noted that Pieters’ enforced absence left them fragile at the back.
One posted “So we don’t have a first-team left-back” another replied: “We have two, one injured and one suspended.”

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Meanwhile, the Cherries’ interim manager Jonathan Woodgate is looking for an immediate impact from Harry Redknapp helping out in coaching over the past few days.
Promotion straight back to the Premier League is still Bournemouth’s priority.
And Woodgate has started brightly in his caretaker role, making it two wins from two on Tuesday evening, adding to the 3-2 win against Birmingham last weekend.

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JOSE MOURINHO is backing Carlo Ancelotti to bring silverware back to Everton – if he is given the time.
Mourinho takes his Tottenham to Ancelotti’s Toffees in the FA Cup fifth round on Wednesday night.

Ahead of their FA Cup clash, Spurs chief Jose Mourinho rates Everton counterpart Carlo Ancelotti as ‘one of the best managers in the world’Credit: AFP or licensors

The hosts have not lifted a trophy since winning the famous old competition 25 years ago.
But Everton have improved considerably under three-times Champions League winner Ancelotti.
And his old pal Mourinho said: “Carlo is Carlo.
“He doesn’t go to a club to spend some time or to have some fun.

“He goes to a club to try to be Carlo.
“A winner, he is one of the best managers in the world and just by arriving he brings to the club that ambition.
“You can see the players they have got, they will go in the direction of some players they will progress.
“They will go in the direction of having some players Carlo knows very well, and players with great quality and great experience at the highest level.

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“They have other players who are improving a lot and Carlo, with time, he will win.
“I am not saying Everton can jump over the top clubs with incredible histories. It is not an easy process of course.
“But with Carlo and with patience and with time and with continuous development of the team, there is nobody better than Carlo to give a trophy to Everton.”
Tottenham are looking for their first piece of silverware since lifting the League Cup in 2008.
Having already booked their place in this year’s final of that competition they will be looking to edge a step closer to what they hope will be a domestic cup double with victory at Goodison Park.
Mourinho will again be without the crocked Giovani Lo Celso and Serge Reguilon while Serge Aurier is a fresh doubt having picked up a knock in Sunday’s 2-0 win over West Brom.
The Spurs boss must decide whether to play Harry Kane after the striker returned from ankle injuries earlier than expected to score against the Baggies.
But Dele Alli could feature after recovering from a calf injury and having clear-the-air talks with Mourinho over his future.

Mourinho says Dele Alli is back training and ‘not injured’ but in a ‘normal situation’ without players missing might not be considered vs EvertonCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Mourinho said today: “Dele Alli, he trained yesterday with the team and well. He’s had a long time away, a couple of weeks not training with the team and recovering – can he play tomorrow?
“Well he’s not injured but I’m not sure he can start.
“But can he help us? I believe he can so in terms of having Dele on the bench to come for a few minutes to try to help the team is that possible, something I have to speak to him but I believe he can.”
Mourinho held talks with Dele after his desired move to link up again with former Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino at Paris Saint-Germain failed to materialise last month.
Mourinho insisted: “Nothing’s changed. He is not injured, he can train with the team.
“He went through a process of not training, training with the sports science people and then jumped to the team work which he did yesterday for the first time. So nothing’s changed.
“What maybe changed is speculation around him because in this moment everybody knows he is a Tottenham player, who stays in here and he doesn’t go to any place.

“I want him fully on board and it depends on his feelings but if he can come on for 10, 15 minutes and help that will be good.
Jose Mourinho on Dele Alli

“So probably the end of the speculation will be the end of questions and with the end of questions he can train, he can try to help the team because this is what we want, this is what we need.
“We need players to help the team and hopefully he can do that.
“In a normal situation he wouldn’t even be considered for tomorrow but with the injuries we have, the number of matches we have maybe we have to accelerate his process and maybe we can.
“But of course I want him to be fully on board and to agree and it depends on his feelings but if he can be on the bench tomorrow and to come for 10, 15 minutes and help the team that will be good for us.”

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