It was telling that Manchester United players went and shook hands with the Coventry players instead of celebrating the winning penalty. United were very poor, while Coventry City walked over them at times. Up 3-0 in the second half, Manchester United almost suffered one of the most famous collapses in English history. Below, we take a look at the action.

First Half

As expected, Manchester United started on the front foot. Alejandro Garnacho had a good chance that he swung and missed on. By the 11th minute, Coventry City was sitting deep and looking to hit United on the counter.

In the 16th minute, Casemiro played a beautiful ball out of his new center-back position to get Marcus Rashford in behind. Rashford took a decent first touch but was unable to find the target to break the deadlock. Six minutes later, though, the Reds found that breakthrough.

In the 22nd minute, Scott McTominay swung the ball out to Alejandro Garnacho, who found Diogo Dalot on the overlapping run. Dalot played a brilliant low ball across the middle that snuck under the hands of the outstretched Brad Collins for McTominay to tap home and send the red crowd into raptures. Yet again, the Scottish midfielder found the back of the net in a big moment for Manchester United this season.

Coventry City’s first big chance came as Josh Eccles dribbled through United’s defense far too easily and played a ball through the middle, similar to Dalot’s earlier assist. Thankfully, the Dalot was in a good position defensively and cleared the danger just ahead of the onrushing Ellis Simms.

In the 45th minute, Bruno Fernandes dropped a perfect ball into the box for Maguire to head into the bottom corner after getting past Ellis Simms. This all-important goal gave United a 2-0 lead heading into the half.

While Manchester United’s attacks were far from clean in the first half, the Reds entered the dressing room as the deserved leaders. The firepower of Erik Ten Hag’s men proved too much for Mark Robins’ Championship players.

Second Half

Two minutes after half, a dipping strike from Bruno Fernandes nearly put the game to bed, but the ball whistled inches outside the post.

Mark Robins changed his team’s formation at half, which began causing United problems early in the second half. Coventry City forced turnovers in the midfield and created a couple of half chances.

Despite the pressure, Bruno Fernandes got his goal and gave the fans a reason to start securing FA Cup Final tickets, or so we thought, with a deflected finish in the 58th minute. Marcus Rashford could not make the most of a good position, but Fernandes picked up the ball, took a swing with his left foot, and seemingly broke the hearts of the Coventry City faithful.

Ellis Simms dared his team to dream as he grabbed a 71st-minute goal to make it 3-1. Casemiro was caught out of position, and Simms found a pocket of space where he placed the ball past Andre Onana. This goal brought confidence to the Championship side.

Coventry City continued to dominate the late minutes and grabbed a second goal in the 79th minute. Callum O’Hare found space outside the box, and his shot took a wicked deflection past Andre Onana to bring it back to a one-goal United lead.

Onana was forced into a great save when Victor Torp volleyed ferociously on target. A goal in that moment would have sent Coventry fans into pandemonium, but Onana saved United in a big moment.

In the 93rd minute, Aaron Wan-Bissaka was called for a questionable handball to give Coventry City a late, late penalty. United States international Haji Wright stepped up and confidently scored to level the match at three. Yes, Manchester United bottled a 3-0 lead to Coventry City to send the spectacle into extra-time.

Extra-Time

Amad Diallo stepped onto the pitch and began making an impact. The young winger got into the opposition box and laid a pass back to Bruno Fernandes. Unfortunately, the strike from Fernandes hit the underside of the bar and came back out to keep the match level at three.

United started the second half of extra time on the front foot, as Harry Maguire took on the Coventry back line and produced a fantastic attempt from a tight angle. Coventry’s keeper just got a touch on the shot to force a corner.

Haji Wright nearly wrote his name into the Coventry City history books, but his 112th-minute shot flashed wide of Onana’s post to save Manchester United. Three minutes later, Ellis Simms beat Onana but hit the underside of the crossbar, and United held on yet again.

Coventry City was denied a stunning 120th-minute winner after Haji Wright, the assister, was found a step offside after a VAR check.

Extra-time was dominated by Coventry City, and United were lucky to even make it to penalties.

Penalties

Manchester United – Casemiro: Saved 0-0
Coventry City – Haji Wright: Converted 0-1

Manchester United – Diogo Dalot: Converted 1-1
Coventry City – Viktor Torp: Converted 1-2

Manchester United – Christian Eriksen: Converted 2-2
Coventry City – Callum O’Hare: Saved 2-2

Manchester United – Bruno Fernandes: Converted 3-2
Coventry City – Ben Sheaf: Missed 3-2

Manchester United – Rasmus Hojlund: Converted 4-2 WIN

Man of the Match

Bruno Fernandes continues to stand out in this period of terrible performances. His assist was quality for Maguire’s header, and his goal was a product of persistence. He was tracking back defensively until the end of extra time as he fought for his team and club even when others were not. It was another captain’s performance from the Portuguese star.

Player Ratings

Starting XI
Andre Onana: 6 – Some good saves, including one in the penalty shootout.
Diogo Dalot: 7 – Solid match for Dalot with an assist.
Harry Maguire: 8 – A top-class performance as he scored a great header and fought for the club. At times, he was the only player defending and attacking.
Casemiro: 5 – Had moments of quality as well as very poor moments. His penalty was awful. Overall, though, he was alright playing out of position.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka: 3 – An unusually poor performance from the outside back. He was caught out of position numerous times and was way off his game.
Kobbie Mainoo (off in the 72nd minute): 6 – Another solid performance in the heart of the United midfield where he controlled the game. Should never have been taken off.
Scott McTominay (off in the 102nd minute): 5 – Scored a good goal but failed to help out at all in the midfield.
Bruno Fernandes: 8 – Continues to step up in moments when his teammates don’t. A goal and an assist for the captain.
Rasmus Hojlund: 4 – Poor most of the match but converted the winning penalty.
Marcus Rashford (off in the 90+5th minute): 3 – Pointlessly dribbled over and over again and selfishly took shots instead of finding open teammates.
Alejandro Garnacho (off in the 65th minute): 5 – Was dangerous at times, but his final product was not there.

Substitutions:
Antony (on in the 65th minute): 4 – Did not add much.
Christian Eriksen (on in the 72nd minute): 4 – Did not play well but did finish his penalty well.
Amad Diallo (on in the 90+5th minute): 6 – Lively when he came on and nearly had an assist.
Omari Forson (on in the 102nd minute): 5 – Decent.

Looking Ahead

Manchester United returns home to play Sheffield United on Wednesday and Burnley on Saturday. The Reds will expect to take six points from these two matches, as they are seated 19th and 20th in the table. If United’s form says anything, though, nothing is a given.

With this pathetic win, United stumbles into the Final and will have a rematch with the Cup holders Manchester City.