MAN UTD 4, LIVERPOOL 3
(after extra time. 2-2 after 90 mins)
What drama as Manchester United edged out Liverpool after extra time in an Emirates FA Cup tie which will go down as a classic.
It was enthralling and mesmerising, a game you could not take your eyes off as there were so many twists and turns which made it compelling viewing.
United took an early lead through Scott McTominay before Liverpool seized control late in the opening half through a quickfire double from Alexis Mac Allister and Mohamed Salah.
Substitute Antony forced extra time with an 87th minute leveller and the extra 30 minutes was just as absorbing – you could not take your eyes off it.
Liverpool substitute Harvey Elliott fired his side back ahead at the end of the opening period, but in the second United showed character the resilience to snatch victory through strikes from Marcus Rashford and substitute Amad Diallo.
In the wild celebrations, Amad – this was only his second senior goal in his 13th appearance – forgot he had already been booked and received a second yellow card as United finished with 10 men.
And moments after the final whistle United found out they had drawn Championship side Coventry City in the semi-finals and a tie against the Sky Blues who are managed by Mark Robins whose name is etched in folklore at Old Trafford after his playing exploits in their 1990 FA Cup winning campaign.
United manager Erik ten Hag said: “To go to the final we have to win against Coventry, we will have to play at our best. We saw that Coventry have great spirit, a great mentality. We will prepare our best to play in the final.
“The first 35 minutes was the best of our whole season; we were acting as a team but then we got gaps between the lines, and you can’t allow this against one of the best teams in Europe. They outplayed us.
“Then we made changes, we took risks and the players were wonderful. The attitude was great, a strong belief to win this game.
Embed from Getty Images“We showed determination and resilience to win this game. They are great characters who showed determination.
“We have had so many setbacks this season and have had to adjust. We have progressed from January onwards when we have been getting better. I am happy with the progress.
“Rashford is resilient, he keeps going, normally he finishes those moments, but he kept going for another chance. That inspired the other players.
“We have a team that is for the future. Coming up are players who are developing very well like Diallo, Garnacho, Kobbie Mainoo.”
Diallo added: “Dream come true. What a game! Today we deserved this win, we played very good. It was one of the best games of the season. It’s the best goal of my life, it’s a really important moment.
“You need to believe in every single moment, this is football. When [Alejando] Garnacho gave me the ball I wanted to give it him back but it was a good moment to shoot.
“I am disappointed to be sent off but what is important is to win. To beat Liverpool is a big, big moment for me.”
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp, who saw his hopes of a quadruple ended, could not fault his players but added that fatigue caught up with them.
“We were struggling and have played a lot of football recently,” he said.
“It was exceptional the way we played in the second half, but did not finish the game off.
“When you leave the door open away at Od Trafford, United will have chances, and it got really hard for us.
“Congratulations to Manchester United, they fought extremely hard. You saw two teams who realised the importance of the competition.
“There were so many good things. I am happy with that, apart from the result.”
United made two changes from the side that started the 2-0 win over Everton on March 9 as Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Rasmus Hojlund returned after injuries, replacing Jonny Evans and Casemiro who were both not in the squad.
Mason Mount was also back from injury and among the substitutes.
Klopp made three changes to the side that began Thursday’s 6-1 Europa League thrashing of Sparta Prague as Virgil van Dijk, Alexis Mac Allister and Luis Diaz come in for Conor Bradley, Bobby Clark and Cody Gakpo.
United almost drew first blood in the fourth minute when Alejandro Garnacho set up Rashford whose shot from the edge of the box forced a fine diving save from Caoimhin Kelleher.
Liverpool’s first chance of note was an excellent angled volley from Mohamed Salah which flew just past the upright.
The deadlock was broken in the 10th minute through McTominay’s ninth goal of the season.
Garnacho’s initial angled effort was well kept out by Kelleher, but the loose ball bounced up invitingly for McTominay to volley home from two yards.
Liverpool began to inch their way back into the game, but United had two great chances to extend their lead as Bruno Fernandes and McTominay were both denied by Kelleher.
United keeper Andre Onana was at his best to keep out an effort from Luis Diaz.
Liverpool had the ball in the net but Waturu Endo’s effort was ruled out after Salah had strayed marginally offside before crossing to the Colombian.
But they were level in the 44th minute through Mac Allister.
Jarrell Quansah made a break from defence and crossed for Darwin Nunez to lay the ball into the path of Mac Allister who fired low to the left of Onana.
Liverpool were ahead in the second of four added minutes through Salah as it had all unravelled for United.
Nunez’ shot was well kept out by Onana, but the ball ran free for Salah to find the net with a half volley from six yards as he maintained his remarkable scoring record against United.
The start to the second half was just as fast and frenetic as the close to the opening one with openings for both sides.
Onana was forced into action diving full length to turn Dominik Szoboszlai’s drive around the post for a corner.
And there was also another great reflex stop to turn Nunez’ piledriver around the post for a corner to prevent Liverpool from establishing a two-goal lead.
United made their first two changes with 20 minutes left as Hojlund and Wan-Bissaka were replaced by Antony and Harry Maguire and that was soon followed by two more as Kobbie Mainoo and Raphael Varane made way for Christian Eriksen and Amad.
Liverpool were never in any serious trouble until Antony equalised in the 86th minute when Garnacho set up Antony whose shot on the turn from 14 yards crept low to the left of Kelleher.
Klopp’s side almost regained the lead immediately when Elliott’s looping cross struck the far upright.
Rashford had the chance to win the tie for United in the dying seconds of four added minutes when he was put clear but rolled his shot wide from eight yards. He sank to the ground head in hands in sheer disbelief.
Antony had a great chance early in the opening period of extra time but his shot dipped narrowly over the crossbar.
Lindelof also had a great opening after an overlapping run down the left as he crashed a shot high into the side netting.
Liverpool regained the lead in the 105th minute when Elliott’s 25-yard drive took a deflection off Eriksen’s boot and eluded Onana as it found the far bottom corner of the net.
United made a change for the second period of extra time as ten Hag sacrificed defender Lindelof for forward Mount who was back in action after an injury lay-off stretching back to November.
Maguire had an excellent effort beaten out by Kelleher.
United made it 3-3 in the 112th minute when McTominay threaded a pass to Rashford who fired low past Kelleher from 14 yards.
And they had a great chance to win the game when Rashford, on the left, played in McTominay who slid a shot wide from six yards.
But there was another twist as United hit a 121st minute winner from substitute Amad.
The midfielder charged down a shot on the edge of his own defensive box which enabled United to have a two-versus-one break.
Garnacho sprinted down the centre and released Amad who slotted a shot low to the left of Kelleher with the ball going in off the upright.
In his euphoria, Amad took off his shirt forgetting he had just been booked for not retreating at a free kick, so his joy turned to anguish as he was dismissed.
United’s 10 men held on for a memorable victory to earn a semi-final date at Wembley.