April 21, (THEWILL)- Manchester United booked their place in a record-breaking 22nd FA Cup final with a dramatic 4-2 penalty shootout victory over Coventry City at Wembley Stadium. The Red Devils looked comfortable after taking a 3-0 lead through Scott McTominay, Harry Maguire and Bruno Fernandes, but a Coventry fightback thanks to goals from Ellis Simms, Callum O’Hare and Haji Wright forced a penalty shootout.
Coventry, managed by former Manchester United player, Mark Robins, started brightly but fell behind midway through the first half when McTominay converted Diogo Dalot’s cross. United doubled their lead just before half-time as Maguire headed home from a Bruno Fernandes corner.
Fernandes got on the scoresheet himself early in the second half, but Coventry refused to give up. Simms pulled one back with a fine finish before O’Hare’s deflected effort levelled the score. A late penalty by Wright after Aaron Wan-Bissaka’s handball took the game to extra time.
Victor Torp thought he had won it for Coventry in extra time, but his goal was ruled offside. The penalty shootout was a tense affair especially after Coventry keeper Bradley Collins stopped Casemiro’s first kick, before O’Hare and Ben Sheaf missed for Coventry and Rasmus Højlund earned the victory for United.
Erik ten Hag’s side will now face Manchester City in a repeat of last year’s final, where they were defeated 2-1. City comfortably saw off Chelsea in the first semi-final, leaving United with a mountain to climb if they want to lift the trophy.
About the Author
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
