A dramatic victory over Liverpool keep Man United's FA Cup dreams alive

Sir Dave Brailsford had almost disappeared into the directors’ lounge when he turned to the jubilant Manchester United fans in the Sir Bobby Charlton Stand and shook his fists wildly in celebration.

The emotion of days like this can do that to the best of them, even people as cool and calculating as Brailsford. To hell with the marginal gains.

We had just witnessed one of the great Cup ties. United 4 Liverpool 3, and even that doesn’t tell half the story of this pulsating game.

By the end, United had two defenders on the pitch and Bruno Fernandes at centre back marking Virgil van Dijk. Antony was at left back. Ten Hag was in danger of ending up on his back as he exhorted his 10 men to hold on for the final few seconds before they could celebrate a famous victory over the old enemy and a return to Wembley.

The final whistle brought the kind of noise not heard enough at Old Trafford these days. It’s not as loud and intimidating as some like to think but it was bouncing yesterday. Talk of bulldozing the old place has sparked an emotive debate. It holds more than a century of precious memories and now we can add one more.

What a game. Marcus Rashford could and should have won it with the last kick of normal time, then gave Scott McTominay the chance to win it late in extra time only for the midfielder to miss. Then when Amad Diallo found the net in stoppage time of extra time, he was sent off for his celebrations. You could forgive him for his moment of over-excitement.

Amid the mayhem stood Ten Hag, stoic as ever until even he became a picture of animation in those frantic final moments.

The Dutchman’s concession to spring was to replace the turtle necks and overcoats that have kept him warm through winter with a suit and tie.