Manchester United did not qualify for the European spring, practically missed the opportunity to qualify for the Champions League next season and suffered a devastating defeat against Newcastle (0:3) in the League Cup. The only chance to somehow brighten up the boring season was the FA Cup. To qualify for the final, all they had to do was defeat the eighth team in the Championship, Coventry City. It worked, but with so many nerves!
Despite all of United’s problems, the favorite was clear. His task was complicated by colossal problems in defense: due to injuries, Ten Hag lost Varane, Evans, Martínez, Lindelof and even Kambwala. I had to flirt with Casemiro and Maguire in the center of defence, a brilliant combination and a nightmare for Manchester fans. And then Harry played in pain against Bournemouth and didn’t train all week.
“Coventry” did not think about attacking, gave up the initiative (22% possession in the 22nd minute), locked the entire team in their half of the field and scored under pressure. This tactic even paid off early on: Garnacho and Rashford had chances, but the former simply missed the ball and the latter missed the far corner from close range.
Everything changed in the 23rd minute, when Dalot fired a caramel cross to the far post. Neither the goalkeeper nor the Coventry defenders could get to the ball. But Mantominaeus took the right position and was able to do it; all he had to do was close it.
Assist by Dalot, goal by McTominay
Photo: Broadcast Images
Coventry only made an interesting attack once in the first half: Eccles on the right tried to follow Dalot, but Simms couldn’t get to the ball. Manchester United continued their display and again achieved their goal: Collins took a powerful shot from Rashford towards the near corner, but could not cope with Maguire’s header after the corner kick. Like the defense, who watched him calmly.
Before the second half there were only two questions: how many more balls would poor Coventry get out of their goal and would they create at least one scoring opportunity? That’s how luxurious the representative of the Championship was. The answer to the first is: one. Bruno played the rebound into the other’s area and, with the help of a rebound, put the ball into the near corner. Well, everything is clear, 3:0, you can turn off the broadcast. But not!
A lot of fun began. United gave Coventry a taste of freedom, which was a fatal mistake. First, Tavares crossed to the near post and Simms fired accurately into the near corner. Furthermore, not only him, but also Wright were open. Where were the defenders of the Mancunians? Clearly not where it should be.
Assist by Tavares, goal by Simms
Photo: Broadcast Images
Secondly, O’Hara’s long-range shot was taken off the back of Wan-Bissaka and the ball went over Onan’s neck. It was the 79th minute. Everything has turned upside down. A little later, the Cameroonian goalkeeper also saved Manchester United: Thorpe, from the most convenient position, had to equalize the score, but he executed almost through the center.
Onana even received a yellow card for taking too long. And already in added time, Binks’ shot hit Wan-Bissaka’s outstretched hand! Wright accurately executed the 11-meter kick and sent the game into overtime.
Leading by three goals against Coventry, sitting down and losing the lead. In any case, its total composition is estimated at 55 million euros, like Dalot and Maguire! Sorry, but this is so much fun!
Mark Rashford
Photo: Richard Heathcote/Getty Images
In the opening of extra time, Fernandes tested the strength of the crossbar with a pass from substitute Diallo. Manchester no longer had any other 100% chances. But something curious happened: Maguire dragged the ball from his own half to the other side’s area, lost it, immediately returned it and turned it towards the far corner. Collins made the save.
Coventry did not sit still either and looked for happiness in attack. Wright fired an interesting shot into the far corner, Simms caught Bruna and responded with his own crossbar. The outsider even scored in added time of the second overtime! But Thorpe’s goal was disallowed for offside, leading to a penalty shootout.
Casemiro shot to the center, Collins was waiting for it and deflected it. Wright, Thorpe on one side, Dalot, Fernandes, Hoylund and Eriksen on the other, hit the corners and converted their attempts. O’Hare struck there, but Onana managed to cope. Everything was decided by Shifa’s mistake.
Manchester United still made it to the final, where they will play Manchester City on May 25. And Coventry showed that they cannot give up under any circumstances. And I fell in love with myself with a lot of dedication.
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