Ten Hag hoping win over Liverpool in epic can be a turning point

AMAD Diallo, one of a number of forgotten men in Manchester United’s under-achieving ranks, settled this astonishing FA Cup tie, with a 120th minute winner and an instant red card, summing up a contest which, quite simply, had everything.

“A massive game in the history of Manchester United,” Marcus Rashford called this quarter-final victory and, while that may have been emotion getting the better of the England striker, there was no denying the incredible drama of one of the ties of this, or any other recent, FA Cup season.

Indeed, just as Mark Robins is remembered as the man whose FA Cup goal saved Alex Ferguson’s job at Nottingham Forest in 1990, Diallo may have served the same service for Erik ten Hag yesterday.

And, for those who believe in omens, just to draw a complete circle, Diallo’s winner has set up a semi-final Wembley meeting with Coventry next month - managed, of course, by Robins.

“I’m so happy for him,” said ten Hag. “He is one of the players who has had huge setbacks this season, been injured then doesn’t always get the playing time he deserves because there are other players in his position.

“And Antony, as well. He scored the equaliser and is also in a problematic situation. You can see he is fighting as well.

“Such moments can help you in a season, every team needs them. We have never had them this season so this could be that moment - when the team can really believe and have the energy that they can do amazing things.” 

This was certainly amazing and this quarter-final was already heading for the stuff of legend, not to mention a penalty shoot-out, when United cleared a Liverpool corner in the final minute of the 120 and Diallo started a break upfield, with a pass to Alejandro Garnacho.

The pair