Manchester United vs Coventry LIVE: FA Cup semi-final result as Red Devils sneak through penalty shootout to reach final
Coventry 3-3 Man Utd (2-4 on penalties): Erik ten Hag’s men will face Manchester City next month
Manchester United made hard work of their FA Cup semi-final against Coventry City and needed a penalty shootout to set up a tantilising clash against Manchester City next month.
United took the initiative for the first 60 minutes and worked their way up to a three goal lead after Scott McTominay, Harry Maguire and Bruno Fernandes all found the back of the net. Yet there was a twist in the tale as Coventry came from behind to force the match into extra-time.
With 20 minutes to go Ellis Simms scored on the turn to give the Championship club some hope before Callum O’Hare’s deflected strike looped over Andre Onana. A stoppage time penalty was then dispatched by Haji Wright to force an extra 30 minutes. Victor Torp slotted home right at the end of the game but his effort was ruled out for offside and penalties were needed to decide the match.
Bradley Collins saved Casemiro’s first kick but Andre Onana came up with the goods for Man Utd. He kept out O’Hare’s effort then saw Ben Sheaf ping one over the top as Rasmus Hojlund netted the winning penalty.
Relive the action from Wembley below plus get the latest odds and tips for the match right here:
Second half! Coventry 0-2 Man Utd
Coventry get the ball rolling for the second half at Wembley. They need to switch things up but can’t afford to concede again. It’s a difficult position to be in but sometimes clubs just need to roll the dice in knockout matches.
Man Utd could fold under a bit of pressure. The Sky Blues seem to have set up in back four not the back five they started the first half with.
HT Coventry 0-2 Man Utd
Excluding penalties, only Rasmus Højlund (13) has scored more goals for Manchester United this season than Scott McTominay (10).
HT Coventry 0-2 Man Utd
HT Coventry 0-2 Man Utd
Here’s a look at both goals so far. Scott McTominay, recalled to the team today despite not training in the week, provided the opener:
Harry Maguire then nodded home the second to double United’s lead:
Half-time! Coventry 0-2 Man Utd
45+2 mins: That’s a blow for Coventry. On the stroke of half-time Harry Maguire has doubled Man Utd’s lead and now the Red Devils are comfortable in the game.
Mark Robins needs to switch things up to get his team back into the match after the break.
GOAL! Coventry 0-2 Man Utd (Maguire, 45+1)⚽️
45+1 mins: Harry Maguire makes it two!
Fromt he resultant corner the ball is swung onto the head of Maguire who powers his header into the bottom corner. Good goal from the centre-back.
United are comfortable now.
Coventry 0-1 Man Utd
45 mins: Save! Bradley Collins comes to the rescue for Coventry as Marcus Rashford is fed the ball on the right side of the penalty area.
He shoots first time and and hits a curling effort towards the goal. Collins leaps and pushes the ball over the crossbar!
Coventry 0-1 Man Utd
43 mins: Rasmus Hojlund manages to turn away from his marker as Bruno Fernandes passes him the ball. He’s still outside the penalty area but goes for goal only to see his effort blocked.
Coventry 0-1 Man Utd
41 mins: Nearly! Josh Eccles’ footwork takes him past Aaron Wan-Bissaka and into the right side of the box. Eccles slides the ball across the penalty area and almost finds Ellis Simms only for Diogo Dalot to stick out a foot and get to the ball first.
Last ditch defending for United but that will give Coventry some confidence they can go on to score.
Coventry 0-1 Man Utd
38 mins: Liam Kitching bombs forward with the ball but misplaces his pass and gives it to Diogo Dalot. He looks to set up a counter attack as feeds it over to the left where Bruno Fernandes takes over and slows up play.
He decides that United are better served by controlling possession for the time being.
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