Concentrating on the League

Man United 1 West Ham 0 (FA Cup, after extra time)

At least this was on BBC1 so no logging on to Sky or BT, though a tedious match probably had millions switching over to ITV. It was a great defensive performance from the Hammers marred by any lack of penetration going forward. Selecting Mark Noble, who did ok, seemed massively over-cautious when Benrahma was on the bench and without Antonio few fans held out much hope.

Ogbonna was crocked making a goal-saving tackle on Martial, so Diop came on who was then felled after a clash of heads with Martial. Issa then had to go off at half-time to be replaced by the first concussion substitute. The only big chance of the first half came when Fabianski made a great save to turn away Lindelof's deflected header. 

With Ben Johnson and Fredericks on as subs the Irons at least improved a bit and got in a few crosses. But the second half was nearly all United pressure even if they looked out-of-sorts. Fabianski made one good block from Rashford. Yarmolenko, who had little change from Maguire, ended up getting injured and being replaced by Odubeko. It was a big ask for the youngster to take on Lindelof and Maguire and he made little impact.

The efficient West Ham defence held on for 0-0 at full-time and in the absence of Ogbonna and Diop, Craig Dawson had a magnificent game at centre back and almost connected with a late corner. Sign him up quick. But we were always likely to lose it in extra-time and so it proved. Rice mis-controlled on the edge of United's area and the Reds broke. After a goalmouth melee Rashford touched the ball back to sub McTominay who drove home first-time.

The game ended with sub Odubeko subbed by Lanzini and Benrahma at least having a header saved by De Gea, though he was probably offside. And so the Cup Final breakfast at Nigel's gaff in Kew Gardens has to wait — again. We'll all be as old as Captain Tom by the time it happens. 

It's still mystifying why Moyes didn't bring in a loan striker in the window. It's right he doesn't want to waste millions on a keep-the-fans-happy stopgap, but a loan signing would have been no risk. That decision effectively sabotaged the FA Cup run and he now has to buy the right long-term striker in the summer. 

Perhaps Lingard returning will make a difference and Antonio is just 'fatigued' and will survive the rest of the season. West Ham can certainly defend these days but the end of the season is very much depending on one man's hamstrings.