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
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Your support makes all the difference.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:
Coventry 0-0 Man Utd
9 mins: Jake Bidwell gets high up the left side for Coventry and curls a pass around Diogo Dalot into the penalty area. Ellis Simms is the target but Andre Onana is quickly off his line to scoop up the ball.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka is caught out of position at the back but manages to recover to turn the ball out for a Coventry corner. The set piece is whipped into the box but Casemiro leaps highest and nods the ball away.
Decent start to the game from both teams.
Coventry 0-0 Man Utd
6 mins: Marcus Rashford now takes a shot that gets blocked with the rebound coming out to Bruno Fernandes. He slips a pass out to Diogo Dalot on the right and the forward thinking defender lays it off to Alejandro Garnacho.
The Argentine weaves to the byline but his pull back is turned behind for a corner.
The set piece is then cleared by the Sky Blues.
Coventry 0-0 Man Utd
3 mins: Alejandro Garnacho takes the first shot of the game after being fed the ball by Bruno Fernandes. He cuts into the box from the right side and lets fly but the nearest defender, Jake Bidwell I think, puts in a solid block to cut out the opportunity to score.
Kick off! Coventry 0-0 Man Utd
Bruno Fernandes gets the ball rolling at Wembley for this semi-final tie. Neither team is in fantastic form but Manchester United should have the advantage.
However, they’re playing with a makeshift defence this afternoon and if Coventry can exploit that they may just manage to get through.
Harry Maguire sends a forward pass over to Marcus Rashford who sprints forward and almost keeps the ball from crossing the byline. His pace may be vital for United today.
Coventry vs Man Utd
Here come the players.
The two teams make their way out onto the pitch at Wembley ahead of kick off for this FA Cup semi-final. Manchester United are the big favourites to go on to win today but can Coventry cause an upset and reach the final?
They certainly have the ability to do so. Kick off is up next...
Erik ten Hag ‘can’t be bothered’ with Manchester United criticism
Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag “can’t be bothered” with criticism of the job he is doing at Old Trafford and claims he has only been able to pick his strongest team once in 18 months.
The Dutchman delivered an encouraging first season, winning the League Cup and finishing in the top four, but this campaign has been far more difficult.
They were knocked out of the Champions League at the group stage and are in a battle to finish in the top six in the Premier League, with his position coming under scrutiny following Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s minority purchase and takeover of the football operations.
Erik ten Hag ‘can’t be bothered’ with Manchester United criticism
United can salvage their season by winning the FA Cup and they aim to reach a second successive final when they host Championship Coventry on Sunday.
Coventry vs Manchester United
Manchester United are looking to reach the FA Cup final in consecutive seasons for the first time since the 2003/04 and 2004/05 campaigns.
They are looking to reach back-to-back finals at Wembley for the first time since a run of three between 1994 and 1996.
Coventry vs Manchester United
Manchester United are playing their 32nd FA Cup tie, two more than any other side. Victory would see the reach the final of the competition for a record 22nd time (currently tied with Arsenal on 21).
Coventry vs Manchester United
This is the first FA Cup meeting between Coventry and Manchester United since the fourth round in 1986/87 with the Sky Blues winning 1-0 en route to lifting the trophy.
Before that, they met in the 1984/85 fourth round with the Red Devils winning 2-1 en route to lifting the trophy. These are good omens for whoever proves to be triumphant this afternoon.
Manchester United’s route to the semi-final
Manchester United got their FA Cup campaign off to a winning start against Wigan, before seeing off Newport and Nottingham Forest in the fourth and fifth rounds.
Then an epic against Liverpool at Old Trafford resulted in a 4-3 quarter-final victory. They trailed with three minutes to go, were behind in extra time and needed a 121st-minute goal to win it.
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