Manchester United faced off with Championship outfit Coventry City in an FA Cup semi-final at Wembley on Sunday afternoon.
It was not a pretty game, but when all was said and done, the Red Devils booked their place in the 2023/24 FA Cup final next month. Man United are now 3/1 to beat bitter rivals Manchester City and win the FA Cup.
Manchester United’s road to the final
For the most part, Manchester United had a very favourable run to the competition’s showpiece at Wembley in May.
Erik ten Hag’s side kicked off their FA Cup campaign with a 2-0 win over Wigan in the 3rd round. This was followed by a 4-2 victory versus Newport County and a 1-0 win over Nottingham Forest. United’s only real test this season came in the quarter-final stage vs Liverpool. Jurgen Klopp’s men were far from their best and missing some key players but Man United eventually secured a 4-3 win after extra time.
And, of course, Man United’s last clash before the final saw them beat Coventry in a penalty shootout on Sunday.
Andre Onana saves Manchester United
Manchester United were clear favourites ahead of Sunday’s meeting at Wembley and looked set to secure a fairly routine win with an hour gone in the capital.
Scott McTominay fired Manchester United in front after 23 minutes before Harry Maguire doubled their lead in first-half injury time. Bruno Fernandes then looked to kill the game off when he added the Premier League outfit’s third of the day after 58 minutes.
Bruno Fernandes has now scored and assisted in 17 matches for Manchester United - since his debut for the club in February 2020, the only Premier League player to do so in more different games in all competitions is Mohamed Salah (20).
However, in very Manchester United fashion, Erik ten Hag’s side somehow managed to blow a 3-0 lead with 20 minutes to go. Ellis Simms pulled what, at the time, looked to be nothing more than a consolation goal back in the 71st minute. Callum O’Hare then added a second for the Championship outfit eight minutes later before a Haji Wright penalty made it 3-3 deep in second-half injury time.
Coventry thought they had completed a spectacular comeback when Victor Torp scored in the 121st minute of extra time, but it was ruled out by VAR for offside. A tense penalty shootout followed, with Casemiro missing United’s first spot-kick before Andre Onana saved two penalties to send his side into the final.
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