Manchester United can equal Arsenal record vs Brighton and do something Solskjaer could not
Manchester United will match Arsenal's record of reaching the FA Cup final 21 times if they beat Brighton and Hove Albion at Wembley Stadium on Sunday.
In doing so, manager Erik ten Hag would also manage something permanent predecessor Ole Gunnar Solskjaer could not when their first opportunity to do so arose three years ago. United last reached the FA Cup semi-finals during the 2019/20 season, facing Chelsea at an empty Wembley in July.
Arsenal had already reached their 21st final the previous day with a 2-0 victory over Man City after goals in each half from Pierre Emerick Aubameyang. Less than 24 hours later, Solskjaer's side could not replicate that feat after falling to a 3-1 defeat.
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Individual mistakes from goalkeeper David de Gea either side of half-time played a part in Olivier Giroud and Mason Mount putting Chelsea two goals ahead before Harry Maguire then diverted a Marcos Alonso cross into his own net for their third. Bruno Fernandes later scored a consolation goal from the penalty spot after Callum Hudson-Odoi fouled Anthony Martial.
Arsenal, again after an Aubameyang brace, won August's final after coming from behind to beat their cross-capital rivals after Christian Pulisic gave Frank Lampard's side an early lead. That triumph saw the north Londoners lift the trophy for a 14th time, extending their advantage over United.
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