Man United keep trophy hopes alive
There’s still some fight left in Manchester United. With the season hanging in the balance, Erik ten Hag’s team produced one of the most important wins of his tenure to beat Liverpool 4-3 after extra time in a thrilling FA Cup quarter-final.
With nearly the last kick of the match yesterday, substitute Amad Diallo sent Old Trafford into raptures, ended Liverpool’s bid for a quadruple of trophies and fired United into the semifinals.
“Listen to the noise, you can tell what a big game it is,” said Marcus Rashford, who missed a golden chance to win it at the end of regulation time but levelled for 3-3 in extra time. “I had to score that chance at the end . . . but we got the job done and we’ve to get something out of this season.”
Ten Hag has faced speculation about his position in the face of a troubled campaign and restructuring at the club. The FA Cup represents his last chance of silverware this season, while Champions League qualification is in doubt, with United sixth in the Premier League.
Defeat against the club’s fiercest rivals would likely have seen pressure on the Dutchman grow. TV cameras focused on new director Dave Brailsford as the clock ticked down with Liverpool leading 2-1 as the game approached 90 minutes.
Brailsford is part of the team overseeing United’s football operations following British billionaire Jim Ratcliffe’s investment in the club. He looked stonefaced with United seemingly headed out of the competition and Liverpool’s away fans making the loudest noise.
Emotions changed drastically inside Old Trafford, however, when Antony equalised in the 87th minute to make the score 2-2. That set up a white-knuckle ride through to the first minute of stoppage time in extra time, with big chances missed and momentum switching until United’s winner.
Ten Hag hopes it can be a turning point for his team.
“Every team needs its moment into a season and we never had that moment,” the United manager said. “This could be that moment where the team believe and [has] energy that we can do amazing things. I think when you can beat Liverpool the way we did, then you can beat any opponent.”
Twelve-time FA Cup winners United were later drawn against second-tier Coventry in the semifinals and defending champions Manchester City will play Chelsea, who beat Leicester 4-2 earlier yesterday.
The game had looked like going to a penalty shootout until Diallo fired low into the bottom corner to beat Caoimhin Kelleher following a late Liverpool corner. The substitute was so caught up in the moment that he was shown a second yellow card and sent off for taking off his jersey during wild celebrations.