OLE DAY VAR maintains United’s cup hopes

is power and art to made most part, the yed out in both sets of voking about nse of fear as with a soggy r. couldn’t get eir own half he threat of y Ashley-Seal uffed out by and Victor r end, the Red ion but there devilment in their work. It was oh-so-pedestrian. Wolves boss Nuno hasn’t built his reputation on failing to spot when his side is not as it should be.

And the introduction of senior striker Jimenez after the interval gave the hosts a boost.

Finally, as the game approached the hour, John Ruddy in the home goal was given something to think about. Or, rather, he was given something to watch as Juan Mata’s free-kick sailed within inches of giving his side the lead.

Solskjaer decided he had seen enough of his toothless attack and called Marcus Rashford from the bench. It was a move that almost reaped instant reward.

The striker made space for himself, pulling away from the pack and his shot took a deflection off the ankle of Wolves skipper Conor Coady. The ball looped up and crashed into the crossbar before being cleared.

It was as close as either side had come to breaking the deadlock in a tie that had only threatened to flicker into life. But there was drama 15 minutes from time – with VAR again providing the backdrop.

Nuno (left) had thrown on his main players by this time and it was regular left wing-back Jonny who thought he had blown the match wide open.

His cross was met by Doherty just six yards out.

But the ball had brushed his arm en route to the net. The South Bank went wild with excitement until it was chalked off at Stockley Park for handball.

There was also time for Jimenez to take the ball on his own down the right and cut inside before unleashing a drive from an acute angle that defeated Romero but not the crossbar.