West Ham 1-2 Manchester United - Five things we learned: Andy Carroll's push for Euro 2016 spot may have come too late... but England call-up for Marcus Rashford is only a matter of time
* Manchester United reached FA Cup semi-finals with win over West Ham
* Marcus Rashford opened the scoring with a sensational curled finish
* Marouane Fellaini doubled the lead after improvising with his thigh
* James Tomkins pulled a goal back for Hammers to set up a tense finish
Manchester United reached the semi-finals of the FA Cup to ease the pressure on Louis van Gaal following a 2-1 victory over West Ham in their quarter-final replay at Upton Park.
Marcus Rashford opened the scoring with a sensational curled finish into the top corner before Marouane Fellaini improvised with his thigh to double the visitor's lead.
James Tomkins pulled a goal back with a brave header to set up a tense finish, but United held out to book a semi-final clash with Everton and keep Van Gaal's final hope of silverware this season alive.
Sportsmail's SAMI MOKBEL was at Upton Park to reflect on five things learned from the game...
Upton Park under the lights; there’s nowhere like it.
West Ham fans will learn to love the Olympic Stadium. Some may not feel that way now, but they will. But Upton Park, on a big night, under the lights; you can’t beat it.
A rainbow arcs over Upton Park on the club's last FA Cup tie before moving to the Olympic Stadium
If Wednesday night’s pre-match rendition of Forever Blowing Bubbles didn’t make the hairs on the back of your neck stand up then you’re a robot. New memories will be made next season, but West Ham supporters are fond of the memories they already have, understandably so.
Timothy Fosu-Mensah’s a star in the making
No wonder Ghana and Holland are fighting it out for this kid. The 18-year-old defender looks the real deal. He was excellent against Tottenham on Sunday before injury forced him off, Manchester United’s capitulation following his substitution spoke volumes.
Ghana and Holland are fighting for the allegiance of Timothy Fosu-Mensah after his dramatic rise this season
And in the heat of battle, the teenager showed the maturity of a player 10 years his senior. He has the potential to be an Old Trafford regular for the next 15 years.
Andy Carroll for England?
Why not? England have moved on from target-man football, but for a Plan B then there’s no-one better at that role than Carroll - his role in James Tomkins’ goal testament to that. Perhaps this display didn’t have the impact of his performance against Arsenal on Saturday, but he kept Manchester United’s defence occupied.
The fear for Carroll, though, is that he’s too late with his run for the Euro 2016 squad. The fact Roy Hodgson wasn’t at Upton Park indicates where the England boss’ head’s at.
Marcus Rashford for England?
Hodgson must be tempted, surely. It wasn’t only his goal which was exquisite. It’s his all round play: his vision, his awareness. At 18, Rashford shows the intelligence for a 28-year-old - he knows what he wants to do and has the skill to execute.
Rashford's beautifully composed finish will have been noticed by England manager Roy Hodgson
Hodgson will be cautious with United’s wonderkid, but Rashford is certainly on his radar. The European Championships will probably come too soon for the teenager. But his first England call-up’s a matter of time.
Deal Carrick in
Giving Michael Carrick a new contract seems like the biggest no-brainer of all time. What is there to think about? He is without doubt still one of the best passers in the Premier League.
Michael Carrick was influential in United's midfield - suggesting he still has a few years left in his legs
His influence was plain to see, United’s puppet master dictating play with the sort of guile only experience can give you. Yes, he’s 34, but Carrick still oozes quality. New manager or not; why let him go?
Code:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-3538502/West-Ham-1-2-Manchester-United-Five-things-learned-Andy-Carroll-s-push-Euro-2016-spot-come-late.html