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Manchester United scraped through 4-2 on penalties to defeat Coventry City in the FA Cup semi-final today at Wembley. Erik ten Hag’s team were fortunate to progress after disgracefully messing up a three-goal lead to draw 3-3.
In what was Man United’s last opportunity to grab silverware, a victory would be crucial to hand Erik ten Hag’s side some salvation following what has been a troubling season.
United dominated possession in the early stages, albeit causing little to trouble the Coventry defence, as they continued to pass the ball around at the back, focusing play on Andre Onana.
Six minutes in, Bruno Fernandes chipped a through ball over to Alejandro Garnacho, who was in on goal. Unfortunately, he mistimed his kick, missing a prime opportunity to open the scoring.
Harry Maguire appeared alert, making a strong sliding tackle on right-wing Milan van Ewijk while Wan-Bissaka made a strong challenge of his own to win the ball from forward Ellis Simms.
Following a prolonged midfield battle in which United failed to exhibit any effective build-up play, Casemiro sent an expertly drilled cross toward Rashford, who tapped the ball past the keeper as well as the far post. It appears that the winger remains unable to return to top form.
Fernandes attempted a long-range effort that was blocked by the Coventry defence, after which he took a corner that found Garnacho on the edge of the box, who thumped the ball over the top.
In the 23rd minute, United got the lead as Scott McTominay made a well-timed run into the box. Diogo Dalot played a pass through to the centre of the box, where McTominay outpaced the Coventry defence and tapped the ball past the keeper into the back of the net.
31 minutes in, McTominay gave Coventry a free kick just outside the box due to making a mistimed slide tackle. Thankfully for him, the effort hit the wall, allowing United to breathe a collective sigh of relief.
Six minutes before the break, Coventry came close to scoring when a cross found its way past Onana, only for Dalot to slide in and make the block. United would need to remain alert in order to avoid any embarrassing slip-ups.
On the stroke of half-time, Garnacho pulled the ball back to Rashford, whose shot was expertly tipped over the crossbar by Bradley Collins.
As Fernandes’ corner kick soared into the box, Maguire connected squarely with the ball, heading it into the net to double United’s lead and hand them a comfortable cushion going into the break.
Two minutes in, Fernandes came close to adding a third when his long-range shot dipped down towards the goal, but not enough to hit the target.
In the 58th minute, Fernandes scored United’s third. While a lacklustre Rashford was easily dispossessed, Fernandes exhibited acute awareness by slotting the loose ball past the keeper with a precise left-footed shot.
Four minutes later, Fernandes drilled in a threatening cross from a free-kick, with Garnacho passing to Maguire, whose close-range shot sailed over the crossbar. Maguire would be disappointed not to double his tally.
With 24 minutes of normal time to play, Garnacho was replaced by Antony. Garnacho appeared visibly frustrated to be substituted despite his team’s comfortable three-goal lead.
With 72 minutes on the clock, Coventry had something to celebrate as Ellis Simms hit a sublime volley to grab a consolation goal, sending the Coventry supporters into hysterics. Kobbie Mainoo was then replaced by Christian Eriksen.
In the 80th minute, Coventry scored a freak goal that suddenly distressed United. Callum O’Hare took a long-range shot that Wan-Bissaka blocked, only for the ball to bounce off his back and float just under the crossbar and into the goal with Onana rooted to the spot.
In the dying minutes, Coventry’s attack was unleashed, as Onana just managed to parry a thunderous volley from the edge of the box by Victor Torp.
Two minutes from time, Torp took another long-range shot that was deflected out for a goal kick. United looked incredibly shaky as the minnows continued to bombard their goalmouth in search of an equaliser.
With six minutes of added time, United would need to clean up their act should they hope to maintain their lead.
Three minutes in, the worst scenario happened when Wan-Bissaka’s hand touched the ball inside the box to hand Coventry a penalty. While Wan-Bissaka did his best to move his hand away from the ball, the decision stood.
Haji Wright slammed the ball into the back of the net, sending the Coventry fans into hysterics as the underdogs equalised.
Following the eruption of the Coventry crowd, Rashford was subbed off for Amad Diallo.
The full-time whistle blew at Wembley, signalling that the match would head into extra time. United fans would be devastated to see their team give up a three-goal lead to a team in the league below them.
Four minutes into extra time, Fernandes slammed a thunderous shot into the crossbar. Coventry responded with a quick counter, which United’s defence put out for a corner.
11 minutes into extra time, Coventry came close to scoring when captain Ben Sheaf’s effort from distance narrowly veered past the right post.
Two minutes from half-time in extra time, McTominay was subbed off for Omari Forson. It appeared as if McTominay was in distress, potentially suffering from an injury.
Just after coming off the bench, Forson took a promising shot that was deflected out for a corner.
As the second half got underway, Maguire sprinted upfield and took a shot from the left-hand side that was deflected out for a corner. The corner proved ineffective, with Coventry easily quashing the danger.
With 11 minutes left on the clock, Coventry launched a rapid counter-attack that United managed to put out for a corner.
Three minutes later, the underdogs launched another dangerous counter from within their own defensive third. Wright put the ball past Onana, only to skim inches past the far post. This came as United continued to show a lack of urgency with penalties looming.
Six minutes from time, Antony took a shot from within the box that was blocked. The loose ball fell to Amad, who punted the ball wide.
Two minutes later, everyone in Wembley held their breath as Ellis Simms beat Onana and slammed his shot into the crossbar. Unfortunately, for him, the ball bounced out, meaning the score remained level. While Forson tried to test the Coventry keeper on the other end, his shot flew over the top.
In one minute of added time, the Coventry fans were sent into absolute hysterics as the underdogs sprinted upfield, with Torp slotting the ball into the back of the net.
Fortunately for United, VAR determined that the goal was offside. After Eriksen took a corner that was dealt with by the defence, the referee blew the final whistle. The match would be decided by penalties.
Casemiro stepped up to take United’s first penalty. The Brazilian thumped the ball into the centre of the goal, with the Coventry keeper making the save. The score remained 0-0.
Wright took Coventry’s first penalty, slamming it firmly into the bottom left corner. 1-0 to Coventry. Dalot took United’s second penalty, sending the keeper the wrong way by replicating Wright’s shot. 1-1.
Torp took Coventry’s next penalty, impressively placing it in the top right corner to put Coventry 2-1 ahead. Up next for United was Eriksen, who used his finesse to slot the ball into the bottom left corner. 2-2.
O’Hare took Coventry’s next penalty, however, Onana read the midfielder correctly to expertly save the shot. United skipper Fernandes was next, using his precision to drill the ball into the bottom right corner to send the keeper the wrong way. 3-2 to United.
Coventry captain Sheaf took the next penalty, fluffing his lines to send the ball over the top to hand United the advantage. It was all down to Hojlund to hand United the victory.
The Danish striker drilled his shot into the right-hand side, sending United through to the FA Cup final where they’ll face Man City.
Ultimately, United were fortunate to progress following a lacklustre performance devoid of any confidence and passion.
Starting XI: Onana, Maguire, Fernandes, Rashford, Hojlund, Garnacho, Casemiro, Dalot, Wan-Bissaka, Mainoo, McTominay
Subs: Antony, Eriksen, Diallo, Forson
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