The romance of the FA Cup lives on, and Manchester United is well aware of it.
On Sunday, United hosted arch rivals Liverpool in the FA Cup quarter-finals at Old Trafford, and the encounter served as the perfect advertisement for England’s oldest cup competition.
Scott McTominay’s goal after 10 minutes gave United the perfect start, but Liverpool replied by producing numerous chances of their own, and it always appeared like another goal was required to keep the visitors from regaining control of the game before halftime.
Manchester United dressing room showed what they think about Erik ten Hag against Liverpool
That goal almost came after Kobbie Mainoo’s incredible run down the left. Marcus Rashford passed it back to McTominay, but he failed to score his brace.
Wataru Endo’s offside goal served as a wake-up call for United. It appeared to be onside from the press box, but the score was disallowed.
Liverpool was slicing through United’s midfield like a hot knife through butter when they broke on the counter-attack, and their pressure paid off before halftime.
Jarell Quansah was allowed to surge down the right, and Alexis MacAllister beat Andre Onana at the front post after the ball deflected off Kobbie Mainoo’s leg.
United conceded again shortly later and went into the break losing 2-1, which felt cruel given that Liverpool had generated enough chances to score twice.
Jurgen Klopp’s team had ten shots at the break, six of which were on goal. United have conceded 20 or more shots in four of their previous five league games, and they were much too exposed once more, with a midfield gap large enough to park a bus.
Liverpool, like every other visiting team at Old Trafford this season, created numerous opportunities, and Onana was called into action far too often. Normally, you wouldn’t expect to lose so many opportunities and still win, but this wasn’t an ordinary game, and what happened next was incredible.
Liverpool began the second half on the front foot, and the 9,000 Scousers reveled in the occasion as their team began to control possession and appear increasingly dominant.
It felt like just a matter of time until another Liverpool goal, but this is Manchester United, and they have a knack for surprising. Antony’s equaliser with only minutes remaining – scored with his right foot – was incredible, and Rashford’s missed chance to win the game with seconds remaining was as unbelievable.
Despite Liverpool’s dominance in the second half, they were punished for failing to take their chances, and the game was pushed to extra time. United began to create again, and Victor Lindelof unleashed a thunderbolt that came inches short of striking the top left corner.
United are an unpredictable team, and the game reflected that. They had remarkable passion, tenacity, and drive, and Liverpool’s third goal in extra time would have been enough to end most games, but those in red refused to give up and fought for a response and for their manager.
Rashford’s goal to make it 3-3 promised an exciting finish, and McTominay came close to scoring the winner. A penalty shootout was certain, but Alejandro Garnacho raced forward with seconds left and found Amad, who scored in the bottom right corner under unusual circumstances.
Old Trafford burst into chaos, as Amad was sent off for removing his shirt during the celebrations. United have frequently lost games this season because they have given up too many chances, but they prevailed despite giving Liverpool opportunities in a magnificent encounter that will be remembered for generations.
The prospects of winning a trophy this year remain alive and well, much like the romanticism of the FA Cup. This squad is still fighting for one another and for Ten Hag.
