Manchester United travelled to West Ham this evening for the final ever FA Cup fixture at Upton Park and proved themselves worthy opposition, dusting off the cobwebs of an underwhelming season to claim a 2-1 victory and that all-important place in the semi-finals.

Marcus Rashford opened the scoring after 54 minutes with a curled effort and was soon followed by Marouane Fellaini who, despite being deemed a poor selection by Louis van Gaal pre-kick-off, provided an inventive and instinctive finish after latching onto an Anthony Martial shot.

West Ham eventually hit back through James Tomkins, putting his head where it hurts to convert a set piece, but it proved to be too little too late for the rather emotional East Londoners.

Nonetheless, we at Football FanCast believe there is something to be learned from every football match, whether it’s a Champions League final or a Conference relegation clash, and with that in mind, here’s the FIVE things we learned from West Ham and Manchester United’s fitting FA Cup send off to Upton Park.

MARCUS RASHFORD IS THE REAL DEAL

In a squad that cost untold millions to assemble, it’s the prodigious talent of Marcus Rashford that is truly standing out. The 18-year-old seemed isolated for large periods of West Ham pressure but clinically produced when finally given the chance, putting United the lead after 54 minutes.

The manner of the goal is the real talking point here; the young forward shuffled his feet to make room inside the box before curling with pace and precision into the top corner, giving the Hammers’ Darren Randolph absolutely no chance.

We have a terrible habit of getting excited about young players too soon in this country but Rashford is rapidly emerging as the real deal. He looks like a modern footballer, with a slender and rangy frame, and is producing consistently like a top class striker – with six goals in eleven United appearances since his debut in February.

ANOTHER SOLID PERFORMANCE FROM FOSU-MENSAH

Another Manchester United youngster, another performance suggesting greatness in the years to come.

Indeed, right-back Timothy Fosu-Mensah began the match with the unenviable task of defending against West Ham’s creative left flank – at times battling against forward-thinking full-back Aaron Cresswell, playmaker Manuel Lanzini and attacking talisman Dimitri Payet at the same time with limited assistance.

But the withdrawal of Marcos Rojo saw the 18-year-old move to the opposite side of the defence and once again, he managed to keep substitute Victor Moses and winger-come-flying-right-back Michail Antonio at bay.

The Dutch hotshot eventually finished the match with five interceptions, the most of any United player, eight clearances, the most of any player for either side, and two accurate crosses – once again, the most of any United player.

ANDY CARROL A GOOD PLAN B FOR WEST HAM, BUT NOT PLAN A

West Ham were very busy in the first half and barring a 15-minute spell of clinical Manchester United dominance were overall, probably the better side. But they lacked real purpose going forward compared to recent weeks and although nobody can fault his effort, Andy Carroll’s presence at the spearhead of attack made the Hammers somewhat dysfunctional.

No doubt, the 6 foot 4 striker is a useful player – proving as much last week with a hat-trick against Arsenal to clinch West Ham a draw from seemingly certain defeat. But it was only when the Hammers went 2-0 down and began flooding the box did Carroll make a difference tonight, producing a knockdown from a set piece to assist James Tomkins’ late consolation goal.

It suggests a fundamental clash between the 27-year-old and Bilic’s preferred style of play. And with West Ham planning to invest in a top-class goalscorer this summer, you wonder whether Carroll’s East London spell might come to an end – especially considering his injury problems.

WHEN LVG NEEDS THEM MOST, HIS PLAYERS ALWAYS DELIVER

Louis van Gaal is detested by the majority of Manchester United fans and has spent large portions of the season attempting to extinguish claims that he’s about to lose his job, especially since Jose Mourinho became available in December. Yet the Dutchman just keeps on surviving.

And that is no miraculous occurrence. The fact of the matter is that whenever LVG needs his players the most, they always deliver for him in crucial games.

The 3-2 win over Arsenal last month came immediately after that shock defeat to FC Midjtylland, the Manchester derby win followed elimination from the Europa League at the hands of Liverpool and tonight’s victory has given the Dutchman a real chance of finding a silver lining to a disappointing campaign at Old Trafford.

I’m not suggesting LVG should be kept in charge for next season as a consequence, but he must be doing something right because the United squad continues to play for him – pulling him back from the brink of early retirement every time his legs seem to be dangling over the edge.

BYE BYE, BOLEYN GROUND – WELL, SORT OF

Upton Park, Boleyn Ground.. whatever you want to call it, emotions were running high in East London this evening. Of course, tonight was West Ham’s last ever FA Cup fixture at their historic ground ahead of their summer move to the Olympic Stadium.

West Ham fans didn’t get the night they wanted in terms of the result and for some periods, the Hammers’ inability to create decent chances was incredibly frustrating.

Nonetheless, it was a very memorable evening; those attending the game did the club proud in terms of atmosphere, BBC made some fantastic tributes at half time and all in all, it was the kind of game we’ve come to expect at Upton Park, laden with feisty challenges, some good football from both teams and one particularly exceptional goal.

But let’s not get teary-eyed just yet. West Ham still have a few more home games before the end of the season!