Coventry City 3-3 Manchester United - Man Utd scrape past heroic City after shoot-out to reach FA Cup final

Manchester United will face Manchester City in the 2024 FA Cup final after surviving a sensational recovery from 3-0 down by Championship side Coventry City to prevail 4-2 on penalties at Wembley.

The Sky Blues, managed by former Red Devils striker Mark Robins, thought they had won it late in extra time, but substitute Victor Torp’s strike was ruled out by VAR for offside.

It was a huge reprieve for United and they went on to triumph in the shoot-out with Rasmus Hojlund netting the winning kick after misses from Casemiro, Callum O’Hare and Ben Sheaf.

The Red Devils were heavy favourites to progress heading into the contest and led 2-0 at the interval courtesy of goals from Scott McTominay and Harry Maguire.

Erik ten Hag’s men then looked to have moved out of sight just prior to the hour when Bruno Fernandes’ deflected shot flew in at the near post.

However, Ellis Simms gave the Sky Blues faithful something to cheer with a superb goal 19 minutes from time before O’Hare’s deflected shot set up a barnstorming finale.

United were hanging on but were forced to extra time when Haji Wright converted a dramatic stoppage-time penalty.

Simms almost won it for the Sky Blues four minutes from the end of extra time but his shot somehow failed to bounce in off the bar while Torp’s strike fell victim to VAR.

United somehow survived to edge it on spot kicks and will now meet City in a repeat of the all-Manchester final from last year on May 25.

This was a thriller and almost a sensational underdog story, but it’s not one Ten Hag will remember fondly.

In many ways it summed up just why The Red Devils are way off the UEFA Champions League places after an underwhelming Premier League campaign that has seen them lose 12 times with a goal difference of -1.

Too often United only played in patches and once the tide turned they were second best and relieved to come through on penalties. Such form has inevitably led to speculation over the future of boss Ten Hag and it remains to be seen what INEOS have planned in the summer.

There’s no way around it; Coventry were desperately unlucky not to win this 4-3 in extra time and despite the euphoria of making the final, United fans will be frustrated and dismayed by the way they almost threw it away at 3-0 up with 19 minutes of normal time remaining.

Even if Ten Hag claims his second domestic trophy with the Old Trafford outfit as major underdogs against Man City, it may not be enough to retain his position in the United dugout as the concern over a lack of playing identity and overuse of excuses in relation to injuries has not sat well with the fanbase for much of this term.

The Sky Blues forward came to life in the second half and once again found the net in this competition to light the touch paper for an unlikely revival. He led the line brilliantly and was unlucky not to clinch a winner when he hit the bar in extra time.

MAN UTD: Onana 8, Dalot 7, Maguire 7, Casemiro 6, Wan-Bissaka 6, McTominay 7, Mainoo 6, Garnacho 7, Fernandes 8, Rashford 6, Hojlund 6. Subs: Antony 6, Eriksen 6, Amad 6, Forson 6.

COVENTRY: Collins 8, Latibeaudiere 8, Thomas 8, Kitching 8, Bidwell 8, Eccles 8, Sheaf 8, O'Hare 8, Van Ewijk 8, Simms 9, Wright 8. Subs: Binks 8, Torp 8, Tavares 8, Dasilva 8, Godden 7.

23’ – GOAL! – Man Utd 1-0 Coventry: (McTominay). The Red Devils break the deadlock as McTominay taps home after a brilliant overlap and low cross from Dalot.

45+1’ – GOAL! – Man Utd 2-0 Coventry: (Maguire). Maguire bullets a free header home from a right-wing corner and it's a long way back for Coventry from here.

58’ – GOAL! – Man Utd 3-0 Coventry: (Fernandes). Some sharp feet from Fernandes on the left side of the area opens up the space for a shot that takes a big deflection before flying in at the near post.

71’ – GOAL! – Man Utd 3-1 Coventry: (Simms). It's a lovely finish! Simms arrives on cue to meet a right-wing cross and sweep a first-time shot on the half volley beyond Onana at his near post.

79’ – GOAL! – Man Utd 3-2 Coventry: (O’Hare). O'Hare's speculative 25-yard effort smacks off the back of Wan-Bissaka and loops into the top corner.

90+5’ – GOAL! – Man Utd 3-3 Coventry: (Wright penalty). Absolute scenes! Wright shows nerves of steal to send Onana the wrong way from the spot. Coventry are back from the brink as 3-0 becomes 3-3!

116’ – COVENTRY CHANCE! Simms almost makes it 4-3 to Coventry but his rasping shot slams back off the bar and somehow fails to bounce in.

120+1' - COVENTRY WINNER CHALKED OFF! Wow - just wow! The Sky Blues have done it. Super sub Torp slots in on the stretch after Coventry cut United pen down the left. The Championship side celebrate, but VAR will check and there could well be an offside.... After a lengthy check it is ruled out. Still 3-3 with penalties now certain.

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