MX23RW : Wednesday, December 18 06:01:07| >> :120:12022:12022:
[monks data]
Coventry City
FA Cup | Semi-Finals
Apr 21, 2024 at 3.30pm UK
The Coventry Building Society Arena
Manchester United logo

Coventry
3 - 3
Man Utd

Simms (71'), O'Hare (79'), Wright (90+5' pen.)
Thomas (82'), Dasilva (111'), Collins (127')
FT
(aet)
McTominay (23'), Maguire (45+1'), Fernandes (58')
Onana (85'), Onana (126')
Man Utd win 4-2 on penalties

Manchester United beat Coventry City on penalties after thriller to book FA Cup final spot

Man United beat Coventry on penalties after thriller to book FA Cup final spot
© Reuters
Manchester United secure their spot in the final of the FA Cup against Manchester City courtesy of a penalty-shootout win over Coventry City in Sunday afternoon's semi-final.

Manchester United booked their spot in the final of the FA Cup against Manchester City courtesy of a penalty-shootout win over Coventry City in Sunday afternoon's extraordinary semi-final at Wembley.

Erik ten Hag's side netted through Scott McTominay, Harry Maguire and Bruno Fernandes to take a 3-0 lead in the last-four contest just before the hour, with Coventry seemingly having no response.

However, the Championship outfit registered through Ellis Simms and Callum O'Hare in the 71st and 79th minute respectively to set up a grandstand finish at Wembley; Man United were wobbling, and Haji Wright incredibly scored a 95th minute penalty to take it to extra time in the capital.

Victor Torp thought that he had won it for Coventry in the final stages of extra time, but his effort was disallowed for an offside in the build-up, with penalties therefore required to decide the sensational contest.

Man United came out on top 4-2 in the shootout to advance to the final, with Diogo Dalot, Christian Eriksen, Fernandes and Rasmus Hojlund registering after Casemiro had missed his effort.

Manchester United's Bruno Fernandes celebrates scoring against Coventry City on April 21, 2024© Reuters

Man United set up all-Manchester final with Man City

Man United suffered a fresh injury blow in the middle of their defence ahead of the contest, with Willy Kambwala ruled out, which saw Casemiro start alongside Maguire at centre-back, as Lisandro Martinez, Victor Lindelof, Jonny Evans and Raphael Varane are also on the sidelines.

The Red Devils had an opportunity in the sixth minute when Fernandes headed down towards Alejandro Garnacho inside the Coventry box, but the Argentine just could not make contact.

Wright's pace almost took him clear for Coventry in the 12th minute, with the forward moving past Casemiro, but Dalot was luckily on the cover from Man United's point of view.

Marcus Rashford then had a brilliant chance in the 18th minute following an excellent pass from Casemiro, but he could only turn wide of the post.

Man United did make the breakthrough in the 23rd minute, though, with McTominay turning a low cross from Dalot into the back of the net from close range, sparking wild celebrations in the red end of the stadium.

Manchester United's Marcus Rashford in action with Coventry City's Josh Eccles on April 21, 2024© Reuters

Man United were cruising before late capitulation

The pattern of the match stayed the same after the opening goal, with Man United dominating the possession and Coventry threatening on the counter-attack due to their pace.

The Championship club had a big chance to level the scores in the 39th minute after Ben Sheaf delivered a dangerous cross towards Simms, but Dalot just about managed to beat the striker to the ball with an excellent piece of defending.

Rashford came close to doubling Man United's lead with a thumping strike in the 43rd minute, but Coventry goalkeeper Brad Collins was on hand to make an excellent save.

However, from the resulting corner from Fernandes, Maguire headed into the back of the net to make it 2-0 to the Red Devils, with Coventry having a mountain to climb ahead of the second 45 minutes.

Fernandes struck one just wide of the far post early in the second period, before Coventry enjoyed a strong spell, but Man United continued to defend well, with Casemiro impressing in the middle of the defence.

The Red Devils made it 3-0 in the 58th minute, with Fernandes showing excellent feet inside the penalty box before striking into the back of the net following lacklustre defending from the Championship club.

Maguire steered just over the crossbar in the 63rd minute, before O'Hare headed over down the other end, with Coventry having a rare chance to register in the English capital.

Coventry City's Haji Wright in action with Manchester United's Diogo Dalot and Bruno Fernandes on April 21, 2024© Reuters

Man United ultimately find a route to the final

The Championship club scored in the 71st minute, with Simms brilliantly turning a low cross from Fabio Tavares into the bottom corner from inside the box for his 19th goal of the campaign and sixth in the FA Cup.

O'Hare then had one incredibly deflected into the back of the net in the 79th minute, with his effort hitting Wan-Bissaka and dropping into the corner.

Onana made a stunning save to keep out a thumping volley from Torp in the 84th minute, before Coventry were awarded a penalty in stoppage time for a Wan-Bissaka handball, and Wright stepped up to level it at 3-3 and set up extra time at Wembley Stadium after an extraordinary turn of events.

Fernandes smashed one against the crossbar in the best chance of the first half of extra-time, but Omari Forson also came close for Man United, having a low strike tipped wide by the Coventry goalkeeper.

Maguire had an effort tipped wide early in the second half of extra-time, before Wright missed the target down the other end after a quick counter-attack; Simms then struck one off the underside of the crossbar, with Coventry coming so close to netting a fourth in the English capital.

Coventry thought that they had won it in the final moments through Torp, but it was disallowed following a VAR check for an offside on Wright in the build-up.

Man United ultimately came out on top 4-2 in the shootout, with Hojlund securing it for the Red Devils after O'Hare and Sheaf had missed for the Championship side.

ID:541898:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect9612:
Written by
Matt Law
No Data Analysis info
Data Pass: [t, fa-cup, odds, 3737110]

How you voted: Coventry vs Man Utd

Coventry City
21.0%
Draw
4.7%
Manchester United
74.3%
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Manchester United's Casemiro celebrates scoring against Nottingham Forest on August 26, 2023
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