WEST HAM GOALKEEPER DARREN Randolph admits that Bastian Schweinsteiger ruined his Sunday when he got in his way in the build-up to Manchester United’s equaliser in their FA Cup quarter-final.
The Ireland international seemed to be impeded by the Manchester United midfielder as he attempted to cover his far post, where Anthony Martial steered the ball home from an Ander Herrera cross.
It means West Ham must overcome Manchester United in a replay, after Dimitri Payet’s stunning free-kick had given them the lead, with a semi-final clash against Everton on the line.
The date of the replay won’t be decided until after Louis van Gaal’s side host Liverpool in the second leg of their last-16 Europa League clash on St Patrick’s Day.
Randolph, speaking to Sky Sports, felt aggrieved by the incident but also admitted that he would expect his team-mates to do the same were the roles reversed.
“Yeah, it does (ruin your day) because he has not gone for the ball,” Randolph said.
“He just wants to obstruct me and it worked.
“I would hope that my team-mates would do the same and hopefully get away with it.”
The replay will be a special occasion, the last cup tie the Hammers play at Upton Park before their summer move to London’s Olympic Stadium.
“If we get the right result it will be a great way to leave the Boleyn Ground in terms of FA Cup matches,” the 28-year-old added.
“The atmosphere will be brilliant, as it was against Liverpool and Tottenham in the league, so we have a great chance.
“(We can win) definitely. We are at home, we will have the crowd behind us. I don’t know if many teams like going there so we will be up for the fight again.”
Payet once again underlined his class with a stunning free-kick and Randolph was not at all surprised that his French team-mate produced something so special to put the Hammers in the driving seat.
“When he gets it right, you have no chance,” Randolph said of Payet. “As you have seen, it is going to take something special to beat (David) de Gea and it was.
“I haven’t even asked him (about his technique). If I did, I would ask him to try and teach me.
“He is just technically brilliant, as we have all seen time and time again this season.”
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