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Football London

Sport

Jonty Colman

West Ham player ratings: Said Benrahma stunner not enough as Hammers exit FA Cup to Man United

Said Benrahma West Ham Hammers Michail Antonio Lucas Paqueta David Moyes FA Cup Pablo Fornals Tomas Soucek Declan Rice

West Ham United have exited the FA Cup at the fifth round stage following a 3-1 defeat to Manchester United at Old Trafford.

The Hammers did take the lead in the second half through Said Benrahma, only for three goals in the final 13 minutes from Nayef Aguerd (own goal), Alejandro Garnacho and Fred sealing the victory.

Here is how football.london’s West Ham United writer Jonty Colman rated the Hammers’ players against United..

Alphonse Areola

Alphonse Areola was making his fifth appearance of the season against a fellow English side and his second against Man United, having come off the bench against him earlier this season. With Lukasz Fabianski facing a lengthy spell out after fracturing his cheekbone and eye-socket, this game as the start of a chance for Areola to prove himself as being capable of replacing Fabianski long-term. Forced into a good save early on when palming away a Marcel Sabitzer shot from range well. Made more good saves early in the second half but found himself on the end of United's joint-biggest defeat by the end of it. Little he could do about either of the goals, with one being an own goal and the other two being from distance. 7

Ben Johnson

Ben Johnson kept his place in defence, but Vladimir Coufal's heel injury saw him move from left-back to right- back in the starting side. Had a really good first half, offered plenty of threat going forward and was a constant source of getting crosses into the box early. Had a good battle with Garnacho, who eventually got his space to score in the 90th minute, a comfortable finish. A game of two halves for Johnson. 6

Nayef Aguerd

Centre-back Nayef Aguerd has continued to earn plaudits for his displays at West Ham and was linked with being on Liverpool's radar shortly before kick-off. Aguerd had a brilliant first 75 minutes at the back, really limited the service to Wout Weghorst in the middle but ended the game with one to forget. The first goal saw him turn in past his own goalkeeper, the second was Garnacho's shot off his clearance and the third came when Weghorst caught him out of possession before teeing up Fred. 5

Angelo Ogbonna

Following Saturday's 4-0 win over Nottingham Forest, Italian centre-back Angelo Ogbonna sad he wanted to stay at the club beyond the summer, when his current deal expires. Ogbonna had a pretty solid display all in all, defended on the front foot and was very good at winning the ball back from United's forward line and playing it through to start attacks. Not a performance that deserved to have three goals go against him. 7

Emerson

For the first time since September, Emerson started as a left-back in a back four, having only done so twice previously this season against Chelsea and FCSB. Attacked well down the left and linked up excellently with Lucas Paqueta and Benrahma, creating a golden chance in the first half with a low cross that found no one. He did create West Ham's goal when getting down the left and cutting back to Benrahma to finish. Considering he does not play in a back four that often, plenty to like. 6

Tomas Soucek

Czech Republic midfielder Tomas Soucek kept his place in the middle of midfield alongside Declan Rice and Lucas Paqueta in the trio, although Soucek was the one given the most license to get forward and attack, getting on the end of a first half cross but without much of a connection to it. Another really solid game from Soucek in the middle of midfield, both going forward and his defensive work, seemed to play with more energy than he has done at times this season. Involved in some controversy in the build-up to Benrahma's goal, with Soucek seemingly dribbling off the pitch. Did not do all that much wrong. 7

Declan Rice

Captain Rice went into the game off the back of getting his first London Stadium goal in almost 18 months four days ago against Forest. In the first half, Rice was everywhere, making multiple big interceptions in midfield to start moves and just proving to be a tough cookie to crack sitting in midfield. Less effective in the second half when Casemiro was introduced at half-time, but largely good again. 7

Lucas Paqueta

Brazilian midfielder Lucas Paqueta forced David de Gea into a save from range in the first, striking well from range after a clever passing move involving himself, Rice and Benrahma. The pick of the bunch in the first half on the pitch was Lucas Paqueta, he moved the ball so well and found space where others could not, as well as showing a superb work-rate. Created a sublime chance for Michail Antonio to make it 2-0 but he could not take it. 7

Pablo Fornals

In a cameo off the bench against Nottingham Forest, Pablo Fornals provided an excellent assist for Antonio to make it 4-0, turning with quick feet before placing a perfectly placed cross found Antonio unmarked at the back post. With Jarrod Bowen struggling with a minor knock, Fornals was rewarded with a start. A typically grafting performance. Ran well, pressed a lot and just kept the ball moving out wide, fending off Tyrell Malacia well. Was the first to come off, but had a good game. 6

Michail Antonio

Thanks to Fornals' good work, Antonio returned to the scoresheet in perfect time for a return to the 11 against the Red Devils, with Danny Ings ineligible for the game. Had a perfect chance to make it 1-0 before half-time, racing through on goal but with no defender in sight, wasting it and shooting stright at David de Gea. Did well to get Harry Maguire booked though. Should have squared it when racing through in the second half to Benrahma but did not. Both chances will prove costly. 5

Said Benrahma (Star man)

Said Benrahma will have wanted to add to the two assists he picked up in the win over Forest against the Red Devils. The pick of the bunch in the end for West Ham, had a few dribbles in the first half where he skipped past United players for fun. Took his chance excellently to put West Ham 1-0 up and should have been given the chance to make it 2-0 only for Antonio to shoot. He has patchy games at times, but this was Benrahma at his brilliant best. 8

Substitutes

Jarrod Bowen

Bowen made a rare start on the bench for Hammers having been struggling with a minor knock, coming on to replace Fornals with little over 15 minutes in the tie remaining. Did little when coming on. 5

Gianluca Scamacca

There was a first appearance in more than a month for Gianluca Scamacca, replacing Antonio up front with little over five minutes remaining in normal time. N/A

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