It would have been one of the biggest embarrassments in international football, but Manchester United just managed to avoid utter humiliation. Erik ten Hag’s team led 3-0 after 70 minutes in the semi-final of the FA Cup against extreme outsiders Coventry, but still had to accept the equalizer to make it 3-3 and finally prevailed on penalties after a goalless extra time.
After Man City reached the final with a 1-0 win over Chelsea, everyone expected a Manchester derby in the final, and United initially lived up to expectations. Scott McTominay (23rd), Harry Maguire (45th + 1st) and Bruno Fernandes supposedly made things clear, but suddenly the eighth place in the Championship (2nd English league) turned up the heat and made it 2-3 in regular time Even managed to equalize from a hand penalty in the 95th minute.
In injury time of extra time, the sensation seemed to be perfect, as Coventry made it 4-3, but the VAR intervened because of a very thin offside position and the goal was disallowed. Casemiro initially failed in the penalty shootout, then two Coventry players lost their nerve and ex-striker Rasmus Höjlund scored the decisive 4-2. United will now face clearly favored city rivals City in the final on May 25th.
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