Five talking points: Man Utd’s incredible FA Cup comeback is short-lived as they defeat Coventry on penalties.
Erik ten Hag’s team won 3-1, thanks to a spectacular comeback from a 3-0 deficit by a Championship team at Wembley. But Coventry was defeated 4–2 by penalties. United advanced to the FA Cup final, where they will play Chelsea, despite losing a three-goal lead to Coventry in extra time and escaping a near offside call.
Following an incredible comeback that saw Coventry upset Wolves 3-2 in the quarterfinals, they were perilously close to achieving the same result on the biggest stage. Rasmus Hojlund scored in the penalty shootout to give United the victory because he remained composed.Scott McTominay scored the first goal after Diogo Dalot’s low pass was punched in. Harry Maguire extended the lead shortly before halftime with a powerful header from a corner.
After Bruno Fernandes’ deflection goal put United up 3-0, it appeared as though United were in control, but Coventry pulled one back. Ellis Simms’s opening goal beat Andre Onana, igniting celebration among the 36,000 Sky Blues supporters. But Callum O’Hare’s shot, which massively deflected off Aaron Wan-Bissaka and trickled into the corner, gave Coventry hope.
Victor Torp attempted a piledriver of a volley, but Onana made a superb stop to stop it. Then, Luis Binks pushed the ball a few yards towards Wan-Bissaka, who was called for a handball. The penalty kick was executed calmly by Haji Wright, forcing overtime in the game.
In the closing moments of a wild extra-time period, Simms fired an effort into the bar after Fernandes had smacked the bar and Wright had pulled a shot wide on the break. Torp was believed to have won it in the dying seconds, but VAR’s discovery that Wright was offside during the build-up to penalties ended the chaos.
Brad Collins blocked Casemiro’s careless shot first, but Onana equalized the score with a save from O’Hare, and Ben Sheaf missed the mark with a skier to give Hojlund the victory. These are the main areas of discussion from an exciting afternoon at Wembley.
Without McTominay, United would be in a far worse situation this season. The controversial midfielder has struggled to maintain a starting position in Erik ten Hag’s lineup, but he already has 10 goals for the season—his highest total for United. This season, the only player with a higher minutes-per-goal ratio than him is Rasmus Hojlund.
In October, McTominay scored twice in a thrilling 2-1 victory over Brentford. In a 2-1 victory over Chelsea in December, he scored twice. Additionally, in February, he scored the game-winning goal in a 2-1 victory over Aston Villa. He proved at Wembley that he has an underrated ability to time his runs into the area. The Scot was the one who pushed the ball wide to Alejandro Garnacho, who ghosted into the six-yard box seconds later to convert Dalot’s cross.
The 27-year-old will undoubtedly keep dividing opinions among United supporters. Depending on your point of view, he is either a limited, prone-to-mistakes player who represents how far standards have fallen at the once-great club, or a very valuable academy product who works hard and scores big goals. It seems unlikely that this goal will change people’s opinions, considering what happened afterward.
Maguire’s story of redemption
Maguire, who nearly signed with West Ham in the summer and began the season watching United games from the bench, has had a difficult season, much like McTominay. Given that Lisandro Martinez, Raphael Varane, Jonny Evans, and Willy Kambwala are all out of action at Wembley, he has benefited from United’s dismal injury record.
For any player, availability is crucial, and Maguire is back in the books after scoring a free header from a corner just before halftime. It’s difficult not to be happy for him—the committed player who lost the team’s captaincy, the defender who endured abuse and returned. His rising form coincides with a fortunate moment for Gareth Southgate, since England’s Euro 2024 opener is only fifty-six days away.
Simms hits
The Sky Blues secured a second trip to Wembley in less than a year by defeating Oxford United, Sheffield Wednesday, Maidstone, and Wolves. Although Robbins’ team suffered heartbreak against Luton in the play-off final in May, their level of devotion is unmatched.
Simms has been playing at the peak of his abilities lately, so when Fabio Tavares’ cross fell right behind him, he didn’t bat an eye. His right foot swung around and, despite hitting his shin, it went straight past Onana at the near post. Considering how poorly the 23-year-old started the season, his 15 goals in his last 14 games is even more astounding. After his goal gave Coventry a glimmer of hope, O’Hare was extremely fortunate to further close the score.
Supporters of United speak up
Even though United supporters in northwest London were having a great day, they continued to jeer. The emotion was sparked by executive co-chairman Avram Glazer, who made an uncommon visit to watch his club play, not the squad or the officials.
Early in the second half, he appeared on the big screen and sat next to Sir Jim Ratcliffe, who had hurried over from the mall having just finished the London Marathon in a time that beat his personal record of 4:30:52. The crowd responded with a chorus of “We want Glazers out!” as soon as the booing began, loud and instantaneous, making it obvious who they were directed at.
Even though Ratcliffe acquired a minority investment in the sports division in February, the Glazers remain active, and some fans won’t be satisfied until they go. The millionaire Ratcliffe of INEOS urged patience following his 26.2-kilometer marathon. “The supporters are restless,” Ratcliffe stated to the BBC. It’s a voyage, so they must exercise patience. It’s not a switch for lights. We’re going to make things right.”
Coventry surfs the wave
At 3-0 down, Coventry looked lifeless and buried. However, those who watched them defeat Wolves in the previous round would have advised you against being so naive as to declare the game over before its time. Riding a tide of emotion from their supporters and doubt from the United side, Robbins turned to his bench, rung the changes, and the Sky Blues returned.
Simms’s attempt went off his shin. O’Hare’s made an enormous, quite absurd diversion. Wright’s penalty resulted from an extremely questionable handball call. However, Coventry didn’t seem to care as neutrals around the nation were occupied with shouting about the Magic of the Cup (TM). When Torp tapped in from Wright’s cross, they believed they had won it without the need for penalties. However, VAR cruelly denied them the goal, causing the Sky to be devastated at Wembley.