Football News

Coventry City 3 Manchester United 3

(Manchester United win 4-2 on penalties)

Erik ten Hag has admitted his Manchester United side ‘got away with it’ after reaching the FA Cup Final despite throwing away a 3-0 lead against Coventry City of the Championship; but he drew the line at suggestions he should be embarrassed.

United’s performance at Wembley is coming under intense scrutiny despite reaching their second FA Cup Final in two years and setting up an opportunity to finish the season on a high by beating bitter rivals Manchester City at Wembley on 25 May.

Not least because they have a recent history of throwing away victories in Premier League games, including against Brentford, Chelsea and Liverpool.

This time the result sheet will simply say ‘United win 4-2 on penalties’ - but that hardly tells a tenth of the story that unfurled at Wembley.

United appeared to be cruising after goals from Scott McTominay, Harry Maguire and Bruno Fernandes put them comfortably 3-0 ahead; but then they imploded.

Ellis Simms drilled home for 3-1, then Callum O’Hare’s deflected effort left Onana stranded, before Haji Wright stroked home a penalty after an Aaron Wan-Bissaka handball.

The comeback was almost completed in the very last minute of extra time when Victor Torp scored following a brilliant breakaway move – only for VAR to decide he was offside by the smallest of margins.

So, you can see why United barely celebrated when they completed victory in the shoot-out as Onana saved from Callum O’Hare, Ben Sheaf missed and Hojlund sent United to the final.

A frustrated Ten Hag said: “We can play on a very high level and within the same match in very low levels. It’s not explainable. It has to do with managing the game, taking

Harry Maguire Bruno Fernandes Scott Mactominay Ellis Simms