Source: Daily_Mail
Manchester United v Arsenal live
Follow Sportsmail's coverage of the FA Cup where Manchester United host Arsenal at Old Trafford in the day's final quarter-final tie. Both sides come into the game off disappointing results with United looking to avoid their third consecutive defeat and the Gunners still reeling over their Champions League exit. Email me your thoughts on the action at dan.ripley@dailymail.co.uk[LNB] Manchester United 2-0 Arsenal (5.15pm)Man Utd: Van der Sar, Brown, Smalling, Vidic, Evra (Scholes 80), Rafael Da Silva (Giggs 64), Gibson, O'Shea, Fabio Da Silva (Valencia 46), Rooney, Hernandez.Subs: Kuszczak, Berbatov, Obertan, King.[LNB]Goals: Fabio 28, Rooney 49.[LNB]Arsenal: Almunia, Sagna, Koscielny, Djourou, Gibbs, Denilson (Chamakh 60), Diaby (Ramsey 72), Wilshere, Arshavin (Rosicky 72), van Persie, Nasri.Subs: Shea, Squillaci, Clichy, Eboue.[LNB]Referee: Chris Foy (Merseyside) [LNB]19.24: United still push on in this competition and join Birmingham in the semi-finals.[LNB]The other two quarter-finals come tomorrow with West Ham visiting Stoke and Manchester City at home to Reading.[LNB]Either way it seems we are poised for the two Manchester teams to collide at Wembley. Whether it's in the semi-final or the final remains to be seen (if at all).[LNB]Thank your for following our live coverage of the FA Cup today that's all from me here.[LNB]19.21: So for Arsenal four in the blink of an eye becomes one.[LNB]It's not all over yet in the league and if they win their game in hand they will go level with United at the top. Still a revenge fixture to come at the Emirates too.[LNB]19.18: A little stat from OptaJoe:[LNB]27 - Manchester United have made it through to their 27th FA Cup semi-final; more than any other side. Devils.[LNB]19.15: Faultless from United, not a weak link out there this evening and that was arguably their best performance of the season.[LNB]Forget Arsenal's quadruple which is truly dead and buried, United are still on course for repeating their 1999 treble.[LNB]Full-time: Manchester United 2-0 Arsenal[LNB]90+8min: Fantastic double stop from Almunia who twice in a second denies Hernandez from putting United three up, after some good reflex stops.[LNB]90+7min: I'm sorry but Scholes should go here. He clatters in with another hot headed two footed challenge that doesn't even get the ball but Foy decides against sending him off.[LNB]I think he has bottled that.[LNB]90+5min That sums up Arsenal, Sagna has been firing in crosses like a well oiled machine this evening but unmarked at the near post, Rosicky gets it all wrong and completely misses his kick as the ball flies away to safety.[LNB]90+4min: And that is our first booking and surprise, surprise its Paul Scholes after he has a two footed lunge on Chamakh. He wins the ball but you just can't dive in like that.[LNB]90+3min: Scholes plays a delightful long ball to Rooney in the box but he gets his shot all wrong with his left foot as it goes miles wide.[LNB]90+1min: Eight minutes will be added on as Rooney has a shot from the edge of the box comfortably saved by Almunia.[LNB]89min: O'Shea looks like he has gone to left-back, allowing Scholes to take his midfield role, keep ball from United.[LNB]88min: Arsenal still attack to their credit but after a crunching challenge from Scholes on Nasri, United break. Hernandez ends up with the ball on the left but his cross is over hit and the chances passes.[LNB]86min: Off he goes and he gets a polite round of applause from all round the stadium.[LNB]85min: And indeed they will be, but more importantly Djourou is going off on a stretcher, let's hope he is okay and this is just a precaution. Loads of injury time will be added on here.[LNB]83min: This is serious for Djourou, he is still down receiving treatment after what looked an innocent looking collision with Sagna after the Almunia save.[LNB]Either way Arsenal have used all their subs, and are set to go down to 10 men.[LNB]81min: Meanwhile, United make their final sub, Paul Scholes is on for Patrice Evra, can't understand how that will work but Fergie knows better than me.[LNB]80min: But United remain so deadly on the counter! Giggs leads a break and he feeds Rooney down the right. His low cross is met by Djourou trying to clear it but he only succeeds in nearly lobbing Almunia who does superb to somehow get a strong hand behind it to clear. A slight delay while the centre-back receives treatment.[LNB] Getting shirty: Sagna tugs back on Hernandez's jersey[LNB]78min: The Gunners are getting closer. Rosciky is given space to shoot 25 yards out and after aiming a rocket towards the top corner, Van der Sar parries it before Vidic beats Chamakh to the rebound to clear.[LNB]76min: Brillinat chance! Sagna delivers a perfect cross from the right and although Chamakh wins the header, his effort just lacks power and Van der Sar springs to his right to palm it away. Must score really.[LNB]75min: Give Arsenal credit, they are trying. It's more patient play outside the United box but after Van Persie plays through Wilshere, the midfielder can only fire wide under heavy pressure.[LNB]72min: Wenger lays down his cards. Aaron Ramsey and Tomas Rosicky on for Diaby and Arshavin respectively. [LNB]71min: Haven't seen Arsenal attack in a while but they get another half-chance, Chamakh heading onto the top of the bar from a ball over the top but Van der Sar had it covered.[LNB]69min: Corner for United after Rooney's cross deflects off Djourou and just narrowly wide of the post, Almunia was in a panic diving to his post to try and stop that.[LNB]66min: Ryan Giggs is on for Rafael and nearly scores. He only has to volley Smalling's across goal header, but with awkward technique required he elects to control before being tackled by Wilshere who scrambles the ball clear.[LNB]65min: I thought this was in! Van Persie hits a lovely curling effort towards the back post that has Van der Sar well beaten and only just clears the crossbar.[LNB]64min: Arsenal have to score at some point. Sagna gets space on the right of the box but his low cross is cut out by Smalling for a corner.[LNB]63min: Poor, it lacks power, cannons off the wall ends up in Van der Sar's arms.[LNB] Finding the gap: Almunia couldn't stop Rooney's (left) header from nestling into the bottom corner[LNB]62min: Good chance for Arsenal coming up. They win a free-kick central 23 yards out and this is Van Persie territory.[LNB]60min: Here is that striker. Marouane Chamakh replaces Denilson.[LNB]57min: Unlucky from Nasri, United's headed clearance from a cross falls for the Frenchman but he can't hit the volley sweetly enough and it's too close to Van der Sar to trouble him.[LNB]54min: As usual Arsenal doing all the pressing and Wenger must be thinking about bringing on another striker. The way they are camped in United's half they don't need a holding midfielder but they do need a two goals. Van Persie is struggling on his own.[LNB]52min: Yet they are still not out of it. This Arsenal team has the capabilities of scoring twice in one half but they need three just to win. Despite wanting to avoid a replay, Wenger will bite your hand off for one now.[LNB]49min: GOAL! MANCHESTER UNITED 2-0 Arsenal[LNB]Well would you believe it, Johan Djourou does brilliant to prevent Hernandez sliding in Rafael's cross, but with the ball in the air and the Arsenal defence as still as statues, Wayne Rooney heads in from an acute angle. Sucker-punch is what that is.[LNB] Taking a tumble: Sagna (top) and Rooney collide[LNB]48min: Anyone but Koscielny! In truth the centre-back does fantastic to get into a shooting position, but after a pass across goal goes wrong he takes a shot that Van der Sar tips behind. Needed a striker to bury that and it's Arsenal's best chance.[LNB]47min: Here we go then, Wilshere storms through the centre and only a well timed tackle from Nemanja Vidic stops him just outside the box.[LNB]Second-half: Good sight this, Antonio Valencia will make his first appearance after breaking his leg last September and he is on for Fabio. Very welcoming applause from the home fans there. We are back underway.[LNB]18.14: One interesting feature of that half was Rooney dropping further and further back just to get the ball.[LNB]On more than one occasion he became the 'eight' defender on the edge of that penalty box. Good to see him trying to get the ball but it left United very unbalanced in attack at times.[LNB]18.11: Big half for Arsenal, not just for their FA Cup hopes but for their season overall.[LNB]They are on the cusp of going out of three competitions inside two weeks, they need a fightback and they need it to start now.[LNB]18.06: Fergie said he had a game plan and so far it's working wonders.[LNB]Bit of thinking to do for Wenger but his side are from out of it. They put together some good moves that half and I can't see them leaving Old Trafford without scoring.[LNB]Half-time: Manchester United 1-0 Arsenal[LNB]45min: Nice try Nasri. The Frenchman is in the United box but with more defenders than you can shake a stick at in front of him, elects a cheeky shot at Van der Sar's near post. The Dutchman dives low to claim and it's back to the drawing board for Arsenal.[LNB]42min: Fergie will want half-time as Arsenal are doing all the attacking. Wes Brown heads a dangerous cross clear before Smalling makes a crucial interception moments later.[LNB]40min: Here they go again, Arshavin slips through Diaby who looks good to get at least a shot on goal in, but Smalling stays on his feet, blocks his route and gets a solid tackle in. He is coming of age,[LNB]37min: Arsenal still doing most of the pressing but they just can't part the red sea in front of them. Polished defending from United and the Gunners are running out of ideas. One thing for sure is Arsene Wenger does not look happy.[LNB] Double trouble: Fabio (pictured) and Rafael combined well to score the first goal[LNB]34min: Bad call from Chris Foy, Rafael gets his cross all wrong on the byline in firing into the side netting but wins a corner.[LNB]Foy can't give a decision on something he has not seen and he certainly didn't see an Arsenal player touch the ball, because there was hardly one near it. Bizarre.[LNB]33min: And they continue to attack. Nasri plays through Van Persie and although he is on his weaker foot, his right foot shot across goal forces Van der Sar to tip behind.[LNB]Seconds later the Dutchman heads wide from the corner, good chance to equalise there.[LNB]30min: Simple from United but I have to question whether Almunia could have parried into a safer position than that, The goal slightly against the run of play.[LNB]28min: GOAL! MANCHESTER UNITED 1-0 Arsenal[LNB]Made in Brazil this one. Rafael and Fabio combine outside the box before laying the ball back for Rooney.[LNB]The striker clips a perfect ball to the back post for Hernandez whose diving header is parried by Almunia straight into the path of Fabio who converts into the empty net.[LNB]28min: Arsenal again win the ball in midfield, and attack through Abou Diaby. But 20 yards out, his shot is deflected and Van der Sar collects.[LNB]27min: It's all hopeful play from United. Chris Smalling sends over a long ball but Rooney just can't latch onto it as it trickles out for a goal kick.[LNB] Aerial battle: Denilson (centre) and Rooney contest a header[LNB]25min: And why not. Robin van Persie is given space 25 yards out and although his strike certainly has power it does lack direction and Van der Sar in two attempts manages to keep hold of it.[LNB]22min: The Gunners are re-establishing themselves and Jack Wilshere seems to be calling the shots in midfield. United not looking all that comfortable now either.[LNB]20min: Another cross from Arsenal. Abou Diaby and Bacary Sagna combine on the right but the latter's cross is poor and United head clear. Arsenal finding some joy on the flanks.[LNB]18min: The game has evened up in the last few minutes. Both midfields are having their moments but there has been some solid defending to break up the attacks.[LNB]15min: Ah that's better. Gibson does superb to break through the centre of the midfield before picking out Fabio with a short pass on the left. His cross is a good one in the centre, and of all people it's his brother Rafael that unmarked heads over.[LNB]His head is in his hands because he knows as well as everyone else that was a very good chance.[LNB]14min: Nothing from United's attack yet. Rooney and Hernandez are feeding off scraps...if that. Gibson the latest to hit an aimless long pass that goes miles out for a throw in, David Beckham would be disgusted.[LNB]11min: I haven't seen Van der Sar do that for years. After collecting an easy cross from Nasri, he throws it straight back at him but after the midfielder lays the ball off to Arshavin, the Russian has a shot wide.[LNB]8min: All Arsenal on the pitch and all Arsenal in the stands.[LNB]As the visiting fans chant yet another song, Kieran Gibbs attacks down the left but his cross is straight at Van der Sar.[LNB] Tussle: United's Rafael (left) battles with Arsenal's Laurent Koscielny[LNB]6min: Some warnings though. Samir Nasri manages to reach the United byline but his cross across the box fails to find an attacking Arsenal player and the ball rolls out for a throw in.[LNB]5min: Arsenal are starting to get a hold on the game, but so far the defensive minded United are doing an easy enough job of holding them back.[LNB]3min: Andrey Arshavin with the first sniff at goal. After breezing past Wes Brown he plays a one-two that takes him into the box but his shot is easy enough for Edwin van der Sar.[LNB]Kick-off: Arsenal get us going.[LNB]17.14: Teams are out we should be up and running in a sec.[LNB]17.12: Sir Alex Ferguson on his lineup:[LNB]'I have tried to balance the team with youth and energy. I have Tuesday night [Marseille in the Champions League] to consider, but hopefully I have come up with the right ideas.[LNB]Arsenal is always a competitive game and I have decided to put John O'Shea with Darron Gibson in the centre, Rafael and Fabio on the flanks and Javier Hernandez and Wayne Rooney will lead the line.'[LNB]17.09: FA Cup or not, United v Arsenal is always going to draw the fans in and today is no different. Stadium filling up nicely.[LNB]17.06: At least we can be certain Arsenal will have a shot on goal this evening! (Sorry Gunners fans). Big chance for Manuel Almunia this, frozen out the side since his error-strewn performance against West Brom earlier this season. This is an opportunity for him to claim the No 1 jersey through Wojciech Szczesny's injury.[LNB]17.03: Full line ups from Old Trafford:[LNB]Man Utd v ArsenalMan Utd: Van der Sar, Brown, Smalling, Vidic, Evra, Rafael Da Silva, Gibson, O'Shea, Fabio Da Silva, Rooney, Hernandez. Subs: Kuszczak, Berbatov, Giggs, Scholes, Valencia, Obertan, King.Arsenal: Almunia, Sagna, Koscielny, Djourou, Gibbs, Denilson, Diaby, Wilshere, Arshavin, van Persie, Nasri. Subs: Shea, Rosicky, Ramsey, Squillaci, Clichy, Eboue, Chamakh.Referee: Chris Foy (Merseyside)[LNB] Well beaten: Arsenal keeper Jens Lehmann picks the ball out the net after United's fourth goal[LNB]17.00: Last FA Cup meeting between these sides and was not that long ago.[LNB]Only in 2008 did Manchester United thump the Gunners 4-0 at Old Trafford, and that game was heavily one sided with Emmanuel Eboue sent-off just after half-time. I can't see the Red Devils being that on top today.[LNB]16.57: For United defeat will be hard to take but they haven't recently lost a major cup final and also remain in the Champions League.[LNB]And looking at that side it doesn't seem the FA Cup is that high up on Fergie's priorities. Like Arsenal though another defeat will do nothing for morale and I just wonder if he has set his side up to just not get beat.[LNB]16.54: So with the the whole momentum thing. Arsenal must be crestfallen enough from going out of two cup competitions in recent weeks and the morality in the squad can't be at its best.[LNB]Another defeat and another cup exit today and you just sense that a supposed quadruple is going to evaporate like a puddle in the desert.[LNB]16.51: If this tie contains even half the excitement that today's earlier quarter-final had we should be in for a classic.[LNB]The overall quality was lacking Bolton's 3-2 over Birmingham but I take substance over style any day if we get games like that.[LNB]16.48: Brilliant opportunity for Arsenal to win at Old Trafford for the first time since 2006, the Gunners look much the stronger side but United losing three in a row? I can't even remember the last time that happened.[LNB]16.45: I even counted the seven myself, subs to follow shortly:[LNB]United: Van der Sar, Rafael, Smalling, Vidic, Evra, Fabio, Brown, O'Shea, Gibson, Rooney, Hernandez.[LNB]Arsenal: Almunia, Sagna, Koscielny, Djourou, Gibbs, Diaby, Denilson, Nasri, Wilshere, Arshavin, Van Persie[LNB]16.42: Sir Alex Ferguson spring a major FA Cup surprise by naming seven defenders in Manchester United's starting line-up to face Arsenal in this evening's quarter-final at Old Trafford.[LNB]Brazilian twins Rafael and Fabio, plus John O'Shea are all expected to be pushed into midfield alongside Darron Gibson whilst Antonio Valencia is handed a place on the bench after being out since September with a broken ankle.[LNB]Bidding to resurrect their own season, Arsenal's line-up is stronger, with Andrey Arshavin included instead of injured skipper Cesc Fabregas, and Robin van Persie the only striker following his red card in Tuesday's Champions League defeat to Barcelona.[LNB]16.40: This was obviously the pick of the ties in the FA Cup quarter-finals but recent events in the history of these clubs seemed to suggest this match has taken even greater importance, not least in the context of momentum going forward.[LNB]More on that in a sec, but neither side will want a replay in the title run in, so hopefully we will see a gung-ho cup tie with lots put on the line. I'm already rubbing my hands in anticipation! Team news on the way.[LNB] Struggling: United have lost against Chelsea and Liverpool in their most recent games[LNB] Ferguson fury as United boss launches scathing attack on Liverpool boss Dalglish Wenger ordered by Arsenal chairman to end his row with UEFAAll the latest Manchester United news, features and opinionAll the latest Arsenal news, features and opinion[LNB] Explore more:People: Alex Ferguson, Robin Van Persie, Cesc Fabregas, Andrey Arshavin, John O'Shea, Antonio Valencia, Fabio Da Silva, Emmanuel Eboue, Wayne Rooney, Edwin Van Der Sar, Wes Brown, David Beckham, Bacary Sagna, Jack Wilshere, Johan Djourou, Nemanja Vidic, Marouane Chamakh, Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes, Patrice Evra Places: Barcelona, Birmingham, Manchester, Brazil
