Manchester United advance after beating Reds in FA Cup thriller

MANCHESTER United ended Liverpool’s quadruple dream with a crazy 4-3 FA Cup quarter-final victory after extra time at Old Trafford on Sunday night.

United started confidently with Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Marcus Rashford keeping Caoihmin Kelleher on his toes.

And the hosts got their noses in front after 10 minutes when Scott McTominay was first to react after Alejandro Garnacho’s effort was parried into the goalmouth by Kelleher.

But that’s as good as it got for coach Erik ten Hag’s Red Devils in the first half as the Reds roared back at their rivals.

Wataro Endo thought he had equaliser when he found the corner of the United goal, but Mo Salah was flagged offside in the build-up.

AFTER OVER 120 MINUTES OF BREATHLESS FOOTBALL...

WE'RE THE FAMOUS MAN UTD AND WE'RE GOING TO WEMBLEY!!! 🏟️#MUFC || #FACup pic.twitter.com/zuA3cPy10u

— Manchester United (@ManUtd) March 17, 2024

Liverpool did finish the first half on top and in the lead with two injury-time goals.

For the equaliser, Jarell Quansah drove forward and smuggled the ball to Darwin Nunez. He rolled to Alexis Mac Allister and his strike took a telling deflection off Kobbie Mainoo’s block to beat Andre Onana.

And it was United’s nemesis Salah who made it 2-1 when he was on hand to stab a blocked Nunez shot home.

After the break, Nunez nearly forced a howler from Onana, but the Cameroonian was relieved to see the ball go out for a corner and not into his own goal.

Liverpool bossed the game for the next 20 minutes, but Dominik Szoboszlai, MacAllister and substitute Harvey Elliott couldn’t find a knockout blow.

And United substitute Antony made it 2-2 three minutes from full time to force the game into extra time, as Rashford missed a big chance to snatch the win right at the death.

Liverpool then took the lead again through Elliott’s deflected shot on the stroke of halftime in extra time, but Rashford redeemed himself with six minutes left in the 120 for 3-3.

AN INCREDIBLE END TO ONE OF THE MOST INCREDIBLE DERBY GAMES YOU WILL HAVE EVER SEEN.

Step forward, Sir Amad Diallo ♥️@ManUtd have won it in extra-time with seconds to go!!!#EmiratesFACup pic.twitter.com/Avyx1vE857

— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) March 17, 2024

Amad Diallo then stole the bragging rights with a last minute winner before being sent off for a second yellow to punish Jurgen Klopp’s wasteful Merseysiders with a shot that went in off the post.

dailyvoice@inl.co.za

Voice Sports Team