Manchester United secured a dramatic 4-3 win over rivals Liverpool on Sunday afternoon to progress to the FA Cup semi-finals, thanks to a last-gasp winner from Amad Diallo in extra time. The game will undoubtedly go down in history as one of the greatest FA Cup ties in history, as two fierce rivals battled it out in an unbelievable game of football. But how did United secure the incredible victory?
Erik Ten Hag’s side started the game on the front foot, and it did not take the Red Devils long to take a well-deserved lead.
Scott McTominay popped up with a crucial goal, his ninth of the season, to give the hosts the lead. Marcus Rashford played in Alejandro Garnacho, who had a shot which was saved by Caoimhin Kelleher straight into the path of the Scotsman. McTominay made no mistake to tap into an empty net from close range.
It looked as though Liverpool had found an equaliser when Wataru Endo slotted the ball into the back of the net in the 38th minute, however, the linesman put his flag up as soon as the ball rippled the net. A VAR check showed Mohammed Salah was offside in the build-up and disallowed the goal.
However, Jurgen Klopp’s side did manage to find an equaliser just minutes later, following a brilliant team move. 21-year-old Jarell Quansah was afforded the time and space to drive forward from centre back into the United box, before slotting across to Darwin Nunez who pulled it back for Alexis Mac Allister to unleash at goal.
Andre Onana got a hand to the ball but could not do enough to keep it out after the powerful strike came flying towards goal at pace following a deflection off Kobbie Mainoo.
A crucial goal from Mohamed Salah three minutes later dampened spirits inside Old Trafford heading into half-time. Darwin Nunez received the ball inside the box before cutting inside past Victor Lindelof and striking at goal. His effort was palmed away by Onana straight into the path of Salah, who was never going to miss from close range.
Liverpool had completely turned the game on its head by half-time, stunning the Old Trafford crowd after what had been a bright start to the game for the Red Devils. However, the game was far from over by half-time.
It was an open game early in the second half, in which both sides had their chances. However, by the 70th minute, Liverpool had taken control of their game, dominating possession, having the better of the chances and looking untroubled defensively.
Liverpool had their chances to put the game to bed, most notably when they broke forward on the break and found themselves five on two after United committed too many bodies forward. Cody Gakpo raced forward but took too long to release before playing the ball behind Harvey Elliott, who eventually conceded possession after an excellent sliding tackle by Kobbie Mainoo. The 18-year-old had yet another fantastic game for United and was a bright spark for Ten Hag’s side.
United threw everything to try and find an equaliser in the final minutes of the game, and substitute Antony was the hero for the Red Devils in the 87th minute. The Brazilian received the ball back to goal inside the Liverpool box, before spinning his defender and slotting the ball low into the far-right corner with his weaker foot. A huge goal which kept United’s FA Cup hopes alive.
Both sides had chances to score a winner in normal time, as Elliott’s cross-come-shot struck the post while Onana was rooted to his spot. The best chance however fell to Marcus Rashford, who was one-on-one with the goalkeeper but dragged his shot wide, squandering the chance to win it at the death for United with the last kick of the game.
As extra-time commenced, the game was very open once again. United had their chances to take the lead, with Lindelof hitting the side netting and Rashford shooting wide, however Elliott gave Liverpool the lead once again in the 105th minute. It was unfortunate for United, as Elliott’s shot from outside took a wicked deflection off Christian Eriksen’s foot, leaving Onana no chance.
United gave everything in search of another equaliser, even ending up with only two defenders on the pitch, with Harry Maguire pushing up front while Bruno Fernandes bizarrely filled in at centre-back.
The all-out attack approach paid off for United, as they equalised in the 113th minute. Marcus Rashford redeemed himself after missing a sitter earlier in the game, striking first time into the bottom right corner from inside the box to get United back on level terms.
It looked as though penalties were looming, until a last-gasp winner from 21-year-old winger Amad Diallo saw the Old Trafford crowd erupt as United sealed their spot in the semi-final, crushing Liverpool’s quadruple hopes.
The Ivorian dispossessed Elliott deep inside his own half, before laying off to Alejandro Garnacho to launch a counterattack which left the two wingers 2v1 against Conor Bradley. Garnacho drove the ball forward before slotting it across to Amad, who cut the ball across goal with his left foot into the far bottom corner. An excellent, composed finish to secure a famous win for United.
Amad was sent off after receiving a second yellow card for taking his shirt off during the goal celebrations. He received a standing ovation from the Stretford End as he vanished down the tunnel for the last minute of the game. The youngster will not be too worried about the red card, as he relishes one of the greatest moments of his career so far.
It was certainly one of the greatest football matches I have ever witnessed, and it will live long in the memory of every United fan. The Red Devils will take on Coventry City in the FA Cup semi-finals, with another Manchester derby final potentially awaiting Ten Hag's side in May.
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