Manchester United were a mere toenail away from the ultimate FA Cup semi-final collapse.
An inexplicable surrendering of a 3-0 advantage to second-tier Coventry may well have been enough for Sir Jim Ratcliffe to boot Erik ten Hag out the door in the wake of Sunday's game, but VAR intervention handed the Dutchman a lifeline.
In the end, there was no major celebration following their penalty shoot-out victory. They'd won, but at what cost? Ten Hag's tenure, no matter how the season concludes, could be drawing to a close.
Progress from year one has been brushed under the carpet, and United have little to play for during their final few Premier League outings. A Champions League berth is highly unlikely thanks to their recent indifference, and Wednesday's contest against bottom-of-the-table Sheffield United is another where the Red Devils have little to gain but plenty to lose.
Here's the starting lineup Ten Hag could pick for Wednesday's game.
GK: Andre Onana - The United goalkeeper denied Callum O'Hare in the shoot-out to help his side prevail. He'll undoubtedly face a barrage of shots in midweek.
RB: Aaron Wan-Bissaka — A harsh handball decision went against him at the weekend and Wan-Bissaka played all 120 minutes, but Ten Hag doesn't have any senior alternatives available.
CB: Casemiro — United's long list of defensive absentees meant Casemiro deputised at centre-back on Sunday. Given the rather quick turnaround, Ten Hag is unlikely to welcome back any of his currently injured stars.
CB: Harry Maguire - A trademark Maguire header doubled the Red Devils' lead at Wembley. The centre-back has tried to offer some stability at the heart of defence.
LB: Diogo Dalot — As is the case with Wan-Bissaka, Dalot got through a lot of work
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