Manchester United squeaked past an excellent Coventry City side by the narrowest of margins on Sunday, in a game that, although we eventually won, leaves more questions than answers and piles the pressure on Erik Ten Hag.
For 70 minutes Manchester United played well and looked to be cruising to a routine win over lower-league opposition; with goals from McTominay and Maguire in the first half, and Bruno Fernandes with a deflected effort on the hour mark.
Almost unfathomably, United then went on to concede three goals in the next 20 minutes or so; taking the game into extra time.
In the last minute of the extra period Coventry and their raucous fans thought they had won it, but a VAR check led to the goal being chalked off for a marginal offside. Penalties followed and United prevailed.
A fitting backdrop for a dramatic FA Cup semi
An assured start
Amidst the late drama, it’s easy to forget that United were dominant for over an hour of this game.
The first half looked like what it was – a contest between a Premier League side and a Championship side in roughly the same position in their respective tables.
United dominated possession and largely restricted Coventry to half-chances and the odd counter-attack. McTominay opened the scoring half way through the half with a tap-in from Dalot’s low cross.
Harry Maguire doubled the lead with a towering header from a Bruno corner just before half-time.
14 minutes after the re-start Fernandes added a third and United fans probably started thinking about how to best beat the Wembley traffic, after what seemed like it would be a routine victory…
An inexplicable collapse
United’s problems started when Garnacho was substituted for Antony; who had a very ineffective showing.
Minutes after the Brazilian’s introduction, Coventry’s Ellis Simms was left unmarked from a low cross and fired home what looked like a consolation.
United swapped Mainoo for Eriksen to try and shore things up, but the goal spurred Coventry and their fans on, and the sky blues started to get on top; a heavily deflected shot giving them renewed hope after 78 minutes.
Coventry kept probing as United’s performance levels dropped off a cliff, and in the 95th minute were awarded a penalty for a handball that looked suspiciously like Jack Grealish’s in Saturday’s semi. Haji Wright stepped up to score, United fans were in disbelief and we headed to extra time.
In extra time the pendulum almost swung back the other way as Bruno Fernandes crashed a screamer against the bar, before Coventry City were unlucky when hitting the same bar themselves in the second half.
The game’s defining moment though came right at the end, when Callum O’Hare poked home from close range, only for the goal to be chalked off for the tightest of offsides; breaking 35,000 Coventry hearts.
Coventry’s late goal was ruled offside by the narrowest of margins (Credit: ITV)
United just about prevailed in the penalty shootout after 2 Coventry misses – Hojlund celebrated the winning penalty with the fans but turned round to find he was alone. This was a win that felt more like a loss.
One thing’s for sure – we will get thrashed in the final if we play anything like the last hour or so of that FA cup tie.
PLAYER RATINGS AND MOTM
Onana – 6. Unlucky for the last 2 Coventry goals but got beat too easily for the first. Made the difference in the shoot-out.
Dalot – 6.5. Set up the opener, got forward well and scored a penalty. Position was a little out for the first Coventry goal.
Casemiro – 5.5. Played out of position but made tackles, blocks and headers. Looked tired in extra time and penalty was poor in the shootout.
Maguire – 8 & MOTM. Excellent goal and used his size and strength to break up attacks often. Carried the ball out well from the back
Wan-Bissaka – 4. Most Coventry danger came down his side in the second half, he gave away a penalty and deflected the ball in for the own goal
Mainoo – 6.5. Generally calm and collected, especially in the first half. Switched for Eriksen, who looked like a downgrade.
Fernandes – 7.5. An assist, a goal, hit the crossbar and scored a penalty. One of the few players who can be proud of his performance and attitude.
Garnacho – 6.5. Looked dangerous when United were on top, but slightly shaky defensively at times. Subbed for Antony before United’s collapse.
Rasford – 5. Heavily involved first half, having efforts saved and hitting the woodwork. Faded in second half and mistakes crept in, and eventually came off injured with some United fans booing.
Hojlund – 5. Still hasn’t regained the form he showed before his injury – we need more from Rasmus.
Subs:
Antony (on for Garnacho on 66′) – 4. A regression on recent performances and a clear downgrade to Garnacho. Looked ineffective and defensive positioning often poor.
Eriksen (on for Mainoo on 72′) – 5. Didn’t affect the game much.
Amad (on for Rashford on 90+7′) – 6. Looked okay and tried to penetrate when he could.
Forson (on for McTominay on 103′) – 5. No real effect on the game.
No answers, only more questions
This was a victory that probably hurt Erik Ten Hag more than it helped him, although he did play up the positives after the match.
In reality, this was a poor, poor performance that we were lucky to escape from. The defeat that we probably deserved would have been deeply embarrassing and could have gotten Ten Hag the sack this morning.
The players looked sheepish and were reluctant to celebrate after the final whistle, which speaks volumes.
Looking ahead
United have another Manchester derby FA Cup final to look forward to in five weeks – but we will have to be so much better than yesterday to stand any chance at all.
We face Sheffield United in mid-week, in a game that we should win but will have little effect on United’s season, or the mood of the fans. It really does all hinge on the FA cup now – all eggs in one basket.
