Manchester United blow three goal lead before defeating Coventry City on penalties
Coventry 3 Manchester United 3
(United win 4-2 on pens)
Rasmus Hojlund’s winning penalty in a shoot-out against Coventry at Wembley has sent Manchester United into the FA Cup Final after a remarkable semi-final in which the Championship side came from 3-0 down to force extra time and almost win it themselves.
United ultimatley triumphed 4-2 on penalties, when striker Hoijlund scored comfortably after Ben Sheaf had blazed his effort over the bar, and will face derby rivals Manchester City in the final on 25 May (just as they did in 2023).
But on a day when new investor Sir Jim Ratcliffe was in the crowd at Wembley, along with fellow co-owners Joel and Avram Glazer, United manager Erik Ten Hag looked an extremely worried man as he watched his side almost throw it away.
United looked to be cruising after goals from Scott McTominay, Harry Maguire and Bruno Fernandes put them comfortably 3-0 ahead and easing off the gas ready for Sheffield United in the Premier League in midweek But gutsy Coventry had other ideas when United, as they have done so many times this season, suddenly switched off and lost the plot.
Ellis Simms drilled home for 3-1, then Callum O’Hare’s deflected effort left Onana stranded, setting up a remarkable finale, culminating in an injury-time penalty from Haji Wright after Aaron Wan-Bissa blocked a cross with his arm.
It was an astonishing, whirlwind comeback from the Championship side, and left United fans booing their own team as the whistle eventually went to signal extra time.
That’s not what Ten Hag needed when he fighting for his job.
When the cameras panned to Ratcliffe, head bowed and hand on chin, shortly after Coventry’s second goal, you sensed the tension – and things got a whole lot worse.
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