Date: 6th January 2013 at 2:14am
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RVP celebrates his late equaliser against West HamDavid De Gea: Pretty standard afternoon for De Gea against a West Ham side that beyond their 2 goals didn’t really trouble his goal. Could do nothing about West Ham’s 2 goals and saved well against Cole. 6

Chris Smalling: Looked out of sorts at right back, was spotted well by Scholes early and his cross was narrowly missed by Hernandez but that was the highlight of his display. Defended astutely. 6

Alex Buttner: With getting forward being one of the stronger points of his game, Buttner was relatively anonymous early on as Guy Demel did well to keep him penned back. Took his time but eventually started getting forward and supplying crosses. At times it seemed like he was trying too hard. 6

Nemanja Vidic: Continuing on his path to recovery and almost got a goal early only to see Potts clear his header off the line. Looked rusty at times, but did well to keep Carlton Cole quiet. Usually a colossus in the air but was occupied for both of West Ham’s goals. Allowed his frustration to get the better of him late on and saw yellow. 6

Jonny Evans: Like Vidic, Evans coped well with West Ham largely. Was able to make up for any lapses with well timed tackles particularly against Carlton Cole in the first half as the striker tried to burst down the flank. Marginally beaten to the ball by Collison for West Ham’s first. 6.5

Rafael: Played in an unfamiliar role further forward and started well with some sharp interchanges of passing. Played his part in Cleverley’s goal, but the game started to pass him by only to brighten up again when he went back to his usual right back position. 6.5

Paul Scholes: Got an early yellow that was a cause of concern but his game wasn’t disturbed as he controlled the game for United. West Ham initially afforded him too much space and he showed them the error of their ways when he found Smalling, who’s cross was marginally missed by Hernandez. West Ham smartened up and began to deny him space, limiting his influence on the game before he was subbed off. Should have got closer to Joe Cole for West Ham’s first. 6.5

Tom Cleverley: Linked up well with Kagawa and Rafael as United’s incisive play early on kept West Ham on the back foot. His finish for United’s opener was exquisite as he calmly swept it past a helpless Jaaskelainen. West Ham begun to deal with him better in the second half. 7

Shinji Kagawa: Misplaced passes and heavy touches, Kagawa was totally off the boil today. The rust was evident as he allowed the game to pass him by. Not a great showing in his first ever FA Cup tie. 5

Danny Welbeck: Playing as a striker Danny looked decent tonight. He linked up well with his team mates, dropping to receive the ball and passing it around the box. Raced clear in the first half and shifted the ball to get a shot off that Jaaskelainen saved for his only real chance of the game, could have picked out Hernandez but was well within his rights to have a go. 6.5

Javier Hernandez: Was a whisker away from opening the scoring when he failed to get onto the end of Smalling’s cross, but made up for his miss later when he set up Cleverley for United 1st. Could have been picked out by Welbeck but worked well off the shoulder of West Ham’s defence. Was unfortunate to be taken off for RVP. 7

Subs

Ryan Giggs: Continues his revival with the sexiest of passes to Van Persie for United’s equaliser at the game’s death. Could have stolen the headlines himself moments earlier when he headed over what looked like United’s last chance. 6.5

Robin Van Persie: Not ashamed to admit I was wrong in not wanting the striker when we were linked with him in the summer. So good it’s unreal as he trapped Giggs’ cross field ball and slid it past Jaaskelainen as the game looked lost. Starting or coming off the bench, Manchester United have a real ace up their sleeve in the Dutch striker, and as long as he is on the pitch United are capable of anything. 7

Antonio Valencia: Antonio was Antonio today as he showed why non Nani fans are looking forward to his return. Beat his man but put a terrible ball into the box, and at the death when presented with a chance to win the game skied his rash shot. Shook up the world by using his left foot – TWICE. 5.5

 

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