Manchester United v Liverpool is always one of the standout fixtures of a Premier League campaign – yet somehow, it carries extra emotion when they meet in a cup competition. Sunday afternoon’s clash came with a place in the Emirates FA Cup semifinals at stake.
MUN: Onana; Wan-Bissaka, Varane, Lindelöf, Dalot; Mainoo, McTominay; Rashford, Fernandes, Garnacho; Højlund
LIV: Kelleher; Robertson, van Dijk, Quansah, Gomez; Szoboszlai, Endo, Mac Allister; Díaz, Núñez, Salah
With the Emirates FA Cup coming as Manchester United’s sole chance of silverware this season, the Red Devils raced into an early lead at Old Trafford. Scott McTominay bundled home after just ten minutes, slamming past Caoimhin Kelleher after Alisson’s deputy had parried away Alejandro Garnacho’s initial effort.
McTominay looked to double his personal tally soon after, but in the minutes before the break, Liverpool did well to turn the tide and head down the tunnel with the lead. Alexis Mac Allister saw his strike deflect off Kobbie Mainoo to restore parity, before Mo Salah netted his 13th goal against the Red Devils to complete the first-half comeback.
Embed from Getty ImagesThe visitors continued to force the better chances throughout the second half, but Manchester United were saved by an unlikely hero with just three minutes of regulation time remaining. Much has been made of his poor performances this season, but substitute Antony arrived on the scene to steer a low effort past Kelleher and force stoppage time.
With 105 minutes on the matchday clock, substitute Harvey Elliott restored Liverpool’s lead from distance as his swerving effort deflected off Christian Eriksen and past Andre Onana – but the drama was not yet over and seven minutes later, it was the turn of Marcus Rashford to write another chapter in the script of this enthralling battle.
Having squandered a golden opportunity to win the match in ninety minutes as he blazed an effort wide of the post, Rashford latched onto a fine pass from McTominay and slotted a composed effort straight into the bottom corner – well out of the reach of Kelleher.
With the match seemingly set to be decided by a penalty shootout, another substitute arrived to write their name in lights. Despite finding playing time hard to come by this season, Amad Diallo rose up when the Red Devils needed him most, playing a one-two with Garnacho on the counter attack before picking out the far bottom corner with a low, driven strike.
Embed from Getty ImagesThat would be the end of the Ivorian’s involvement though, with the match-winner dismissed for a second bookable offence after removing his shirt during his frantic celebrations.
Manchester United will face Coventry City at Wembley Stadium on the weekend of 20 April.
