Manchester United advanced to the FA Cup semi-finals after a dramatic 4-3 win over arch-rivals Liverpool on Sunday evening.
FA Cup
Result: Manchester United 4-3 Liverpool
Date: 17 March 2024
Venue: Old Trafford
The Red Devils were without defensive midfielder Casemiro through injury, as Scott McTominay dropped alongside Mainoo while Rasmus Hojlund made his return in the attack.
After the disappointing goalless at Anfield a few months ago, the Red Devils made a lively start to the encounter as Marcus Rashford saw his powerful strike tipped away by Reds goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher. It was United who drew first blood on 11 minutes when Kelleher could only parry Alejandro Garnacho's strike into the six-yard area, where McTominay was on hand to bundle into the back of the net.
The Reds had the ball in the back of the net on 36th minute when Salah did well to pick out Wataru Endo, who found the bottom corner with a neat finish, however the celebrations were cut short as the goal was ruled out for an offside on the Egyptian.
The visitors did get their reward just before the break when Nunez teed up Alexis Mac Allister, who saw his low strike take a deflection and sail into the near post.
There was enough time for Liverpool to bag a second goal late in the first half when Salah fired in off the upright after Onana did well to keep out Nunez's strike. The second half continued in similar fashion to the first, as Fernandes went close inside the opening five minutes while Nunez was denied by Onana at the other end.
Erik Ten Hag made his first changes with 20 minutes to play, as Harry Maguire and Antony replaced Hojlund and Aaron Wan-Bissaka, while Klopp introduced Harvey Elliot for Dominik Szoboszlai.
With the game heading for a Liverpool win, Antony made his mark when he turned well in the box and sent a fine strike into the bottom corner, forcing the clash into extra-time.
The Reds restored their lead on the brink of halftime in extra-time when Elliot unleashed a strike from distance that deflected off Christian Eriksen and sailed into the bottom corner.
The scores were level once again when Rashford made up for his earlier misses by latching onto a pass from McTominay before slotting past Kelleher with a composed finish.
The hosts bagged the winning goal in the final minute when a swift counter-attack ended with Garnacho playing in Amad Diallo, who showed great composure to fire into the bottom corner.
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