United seal semis berth

Football FA Cup

A glorious rainbow provided a fitting backdrop to West Ham United's last FA Cup tie at Upton Park but Manchester United ended a momentous evening hinting at a brighter future after reaching the semifinals with a 2-1 victory.

Much-maligned all season and in grave danger of missing out on Champions League qualification after a drubbing at Tottenham Hotspur, United returned to the capital to produce one of their most vibrant displays of a poor campaign.

Teenager Marcus Rashford broke the deadlock with a sensational curling shot after 54 minutes before Marouane Fellaini's close-range effort sent United's fans barmy.

James Tomkins's header set up a nerve-jangling finale as West Ham threw the kitchen sink at David de Gea's goal but Andy Carroll headed a glorious chance over and the Spanish keeper produced heroics to repel a late onslaught.

West Ham talisman Dimitri Payet struggled to conjure any magic and a tired-looking London side were tormented by Rashford, Jesse Lingard and Anthony Martial as United's slick passing took its toll.

West Ham keeper Darren Randolph saved from Fellaini and Lingard before halftime, but he was a mere spectator as Rashford broke the deadlock.

Played in by Martial, the 18-year-old Rashford left Tomkins for dead on the edge of the area before finding the top right-hand corner with a sumptuous shot for his sixth goal for United.

Fellaini was rewarded for an industrious display when he deflected in Martial's driven cross to double the lead. When Tomkins headed in for West Ham, United came under a ferocious aerial assault but Carroll headed over and De Gea made a brilliant double save to deny Cheikhou Kouyate and Carroll.