Marcus Rashford was the hero for Manchester United as his stoppage-time goal saw them beat West Ham 1-0 and leap above the Hammers into fourth.
In a game that looked certain to be heading for a draw, all three of Rangnick’s substitutes combined as Anthony Martial played in Edinson Cavani, who crossed for Rashford to provide the finishing touch which broke West Ham’s resilience at Old Trafford.
Earlier in the game, it was a first half that promised much with West Ham making a bright start before United took control of the game.
Cristiano Ronaldo was inches away from getting on the end of Bruno Fernandes’ cross and the Portugal international had appeals for a penalty turned down by referee Jon Moss after a coming together with Kurt Zouma, but the opening 45 minutes petered out with neither side having a shot on target.
The first shot on target in the game came early in the second half as Alphonse Areola, who was making his Premier League debut for the Hammers, flung himself into action to keep out Fred’s powerful drive.
Jarrod Bowen’s strike from the edge of the area then hit the side netting before Raphael Varane had a free header, but he failed to test Areola.
United threw on Rashford, Cavani and Martial as they look for a winner which would take them above West Ham and into fourth, but initially it was the Hammers who went closest in the closing stages as Tomas Soucek headed agonisingly wide and David de Gea pushed a deflected cross past the post.
It looked like Manchester United were going to miss out on the opportunity to go fourth as West Ham held firm, but there was to be one final sting in the tail as Rashford struck from close range for the second consecutive game to boost his side’s hopes of finishing in the top four.
What’s next?
Manchester United host Middlesbrough in the FA Cup fourth round on Friday February 4 at 8pm while West Ham visit non-League Kidderminster Harriers on Saturday February 5 at 12.30pm.
From goal.com