3:0 lost, crossbar, LM-“VAR”
Man United stagger grotesquely into the FA Cup final
April 21, 2024, 8:15 p.m
What a game: Manchester United leads comfortably 3-0 in the FA Cup semi-final against Coventry City and then collapses. The second division team comes back impressively, forces extra time and is unlucky that the VAR disallows a goal in the 121st minute.
City duel in the final: The English football record champions Manchester United followed Manchester City into the final of the FA Cup with a lot of effort and even more confusion. Team manager Erik ten Hag’s team defeated second division team Coventry City 4-2 on penalties after a late collapse. After regular time and extra time the score was 3-3 (3-3, 2-0).
United had led 3-0 in the British capital until the 71st minute thanks to goals from Scott McTominay (23rd), Harry Maguire (45th+1) and Bruno Fernandes (58th). But Coventry, currently eighth in the second-tier Championship, hit back spectacularly with Ellis Simms (71′), Callum O’Hare (79′) and former Schalke striker Haji Wright (90’+5, hand penalty).
In extra time, Victor Torp even scored what was supposed to be the 4-3 winning goal for the big outsiders in the first minute of added time, but the goal was canceled due to an offside position. Shortly beforehand, Ellis Simms had hit the ball against the underside of the crossbar from close range. However, the Red Devils also had a crash in the crossbar in extra time, Fernandes had scored. United later faltered but did not fall. Coventry then lost their nerve in the penalty shootout.
For United, who eliminated Liverpool FC and coach Jürgen Klopp in the quarter-finals after a thrilling game 4-3 in extra time, Rasmus Höjlund scored the decisive goal from the spot.
On May 25th there will be a repeat of last year’s final at Wembley Stadium. At that time, team manager Pep Guardiola’s team won 2-1 after a brace from DFB captain İlkay Gündoğan. ManUnited has won the English Cup, the oldest football competition in the world, twelve times. City, which beat Chelsea 1-0 on Saturday and kept its chance of a double after being eliminated from the Champions League, has triumphed seven times in the FA Cup so far.