Cleverley got the first

By Chris
January 20 2013

Robin van Persie drilled home a stunning late equaliser to keep Manchester United in this season’s FA Cup. United face a replay with West Ham at Old Trafford following a hard-fought 2-2 draw at Upton Park, with Tom Cleverley also on the scoresheet for Sir Alex Ferguson’s side.

The Red Devils were heading out of the competition until RVP latched onto Ryan Giggs’ through ball and fired home a superb finish from an acute angle to send the travelling Red Army into ecstasy.

United had broken the deadlock after 23 minutes as Cleverley met Javier Hernandez’s cross with a neat finish.

The Hammers were level only four minutes later courtesy of a header from Welsh international James Collins, who powerfully nodded home Joe Cole’s cross.

Below-par United then fell behind just before the hour mark as the Irons scored a carbon copy goal – with Cole again the provider and Collins nodding home to complete a rare brace.

However, Giggs and RVP combined at the death to keep United in the hat for the fourth round and set-up a replay at the Theatre of Dreams.  

United will host Fulham or Blackpool if they can overcome Sam Allardyce’s men at the second time of asking.

Full Time - West Ham United 2-2 Manchester United
Attendance - 32,922