the busby babe 
21-04-2024 17:56
21-04-2024 17:56
Manchester United 3-3 Coventry City (4-2 pens): Reds limp into FA Cup Final after near collapse
Despite a lackadaisical approach to the match United were in full control early, and their control was rewarded with goals. Diogo Dalot found space down the right and fired a low ball across for Scott McTominay to steer into the net and break the deadlock after 25 minutes, putting some nerves at ease after United had failed to score to that point.
The control was broken a couple times with Coventry breaking out, but they failed to fire an effort on target in the first half of action. It was the first time in ages United didn’t concede wave after wave of shots.
Just before the break Harry Maguire got on the scoresheet with a thundering header on the end of a corner kick, seemingly putting things to bed. If that wasn’t enough to convince everyone, Bruno Fernandes buried a chance after the restart to make it 3-0.
Surely not even this iteration of Manchester United could allow a Championship side back in after that?
Well that’s exactly what happened.
It began with an exceptional Ellis Sims, one which properly rewarded his performance on the day, before a deflected shot looped over Onana to make it 3-2 with about 10 minutes of the 90 left to play.
From there it was like watching any other United match, the defense floundering against wave after wave of attack in the final stages. One such chance wound up striking the arm of Aaron Wan-Bissaka, a perhaps harsh penalty but one we’d be shouting for the other way.
Haji Wright buried the penalty and sent the game to extra time.
It was an almost unbelievable turn, but considering United fans have seen that sort of turn happen all too often this season there was a similar feeling of pessimism as all we could do was watch what was unfolding.
Coventry should have won in extra time as well, scoring with what was nearly the final kick and celebrating with collapsed, dejected United players scattered across the Wembley turf. And then the VAR stepped in and saved Erik ten Hag from the ultimate embarrassment with an offside ruling.
United would win on penalty kicks, with Onana making a good save paired with a sky high kick to make up for Casemiro’s lazy opening effort, but there was not much celebration after Rasmus Hojlund buried the decisive spot kick. United were played off the park from about the hour mark on by a Championship side. They collapsed far too easily, and every ten Hag change had a negative impact.
It was so near a total shitshow that it would have made sense if ten Hag was dismissed on Monday morning.
United will once again face Manchester City in the FA Cup Final, but there is little hope of a change in fortune as they continue withering away in the Premier League. There is every chance they’re embarrassed by their noisy neighbors on May 25 at Wembley.
The control was broken a couple times with Coventry breaking out, but they failed to fire an effort on target in the first half of action. It was the first time in ages United didn’t concede wave after wave of shots.
Just before the break Harry Maguire got on the scoresheet with a thundering header on the end of a corner kick, seemingly putting things to bed. If that wasn’t enough to convince everyone, Bruno Fernandes buried a chance after the restart to make it 3-0.
Surely not even this iteration of Manchester United could allow a Championship side back in after that?
Well that’s exactly what happened.
It began with an exceptional Ellis Sims, one which properly rewarded his performance on the day, before a deflected shot looped over Onana to make it 3-2 with about 10 minutes of the 90 left to play.
From there it was like watching any other United match, the defense floundering against wave after wave of attack in the final stages. One such chance wound up striking the arm of Aaron Wan-Bissaka, a perhaps harsh penalty but one we’d be shouting for the other way.
Haji Wright buried the penalty and sent the game to extra time.
It was an almost unbelievable turn, but considering United fans have seen that sort of turn happen all too often this season there was a similar feeling of pessimism as all we could do was watch what was unfolding.
Coventry should have won in extra time as well, scoring with what was nearly the final kick and celebrating with collapsed, dejected United players scattered across the Wembley turf. And then the VAR stepped in and saved Erik ten Hag from the ultimate embarrassment with an offside ruling.
United would win on penalty kicks, with Onana making a good save paired with a sky high kick to make up for Casemiro’s lazy opening effort, but there was not much celebration after Rasmus Hojlund buried the decisive spot kick. United were played off the park from about the hour mark on by a Championship side. They collapsed far too easily, and every ten Hag change had a negative impact.
It was so near a total shitshow that it would have made sense if ten Hag was dismissed on Monday morning.
United will once again face Manchester City in the FA Cup Final, but there is little hope of a change in fortune as they continue withering away in the Premier League. There is every chance they’re embarrassed by their noisy neighbors on May 25 at Wembley.