Manchester United are through to the semifinals of the FA Cup after beating bitter rivals Liverpool 4-3 in what will go down as one of the greatest derby thrillers of all time.
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Liverpool’s hopes of claiming an astonishing quadruple have now gone after they and Man United combined to score seven goals, including four in the 87th minute or later, and leave the entire world out of breath once the final whistle blew at long last.
United were quick out of the starting gates and snatched an early lead through joint-leading scorer Scott McTominay in the 10th minute. Alejandro Garnacho force Caoimhin Kelleher to make a reaction save at the near post, but Kelleher couldn’t hold the ball and it looped high into the air inside the six-yard box. McTominay crashed the box and tapped in the chance which registered 0.96 xG from right on the doorstep.
Chances came in terms quantity for Liverpool, but not quite so much quality for most of the first half, until one moment of true quality and another of good fortune struck twice in two minutes just before the break. Alexis Mac Allister smashed a right-footed effort just inside the post from near the penalty spot. Andre Onana couldn’t get near it to make the save despite being in seemingly good position.
Two minutes later, into first-half stoppage time, Onana made a fantastic one-handed save to deny Darwin Nuñez powerful strike from the edge of the six. The ball didn’t rebound very far, though, and Mohamed Salah was the last person to whom the Red Devils wanted that ball to fall. One touch to corral it, another to stroke it home.
It was 2-1 for more than 40 minutes, into the final five minutes of regular time, when the unlikeliest of goalscorers struck to draw the hosts level. Antony shielded the ball near the edge of the penalty area, turned and guided a bouncing strike inside the far post without any attacking support alongside. It was just his second goal of the season (all competitions), though he remains without one in the Premier League.
Marcus Rashford looked certain to win it in the 94th minute, as he darted into the penalty area and in on goal. One-on-one with Kelleher, Rashford had his choice of near or far post and opted for the latter, but curled the shot just wide, leaving hearts in mouths for both sets of supporters inside Old Trafford. On to extra time.
Liverpool took the lead again in the 105th minute, as Harvey Elliott uncorked a shot from 25 yards out. The ball took a deflection not long after it came off his foot and ricocheted to Onana’s right just as he started shuffling to his left. Surely Manchester United wouldn’t be able to get up off the mat again, not this late, and Liverpool had done just enough to survive an all-time classic against their fiercest rivals.
Alas, Rashford had his redemption moment late in extra time — the 112th minute, to be exact — and made the absolute most of it. McTominay drove through midfield and split two Liverpool defenders with a simple ball into Rashford’s feet. Rashford took it in stride and lashed a low, right-footed finish into the bottom corner with his first touch.
Still, there was one last twist and surprise to come. It started with a Liverpool corner kick, but it ended with Alejandro Garnacho and Amad Diallo sprinting two-on-one against Conor Bradley nearly 80 yards. Eventually, Garnacho fed Diallo through on the left side of the penalty area and Diallo squeezed a slow roller off the inside of the far post and over the goal line as the clock ticked past 120:00.
Manchester United vs Liverpool, final score: 4-3
Goalscorers: Scott McTominay (10′), Alexis Mac Allister (44′), Mohamed Salah (45’+2), Antony (87′), Harvey Elliott (105′), Marcus Rashford (112′), Amad Diallo (120’+1)
10th minute – GOAL – Scott McTominay taps in from close range to put Man United ahead
44th minute – GOAL – Alexis Mac Allister fires inside the near post to equalize
45th minute +2 – GOAL – Mohamed Salah slams home a rebound for 2-1
87th minute – GOAL – Antony turns and guides home the late equalizer
105th minute – GOAL – Harvey Elliott’s shot takes deflection and beats Andre Onana for 3-2
112th minute – GOAL – Marcus Rashford gets in behind again, this time he scores
120th minute +1 – GOAL – Amad Diallo scores extra-time, stoppage-time winner
How to watch Manchester United vs Liverpool live, stream link and start time
Kickoff: 11:30am ET Sunday (March 17)
Online: ESPN+
Manchester United starting lineup
Onana — Dalot, Varane, Lindelof, Wan-Bissaka — Mainoo, McTominay, Fernandes — Garnacho, Hojlund, Rashford
Liverpool starting lineup
Kelleher — Gomez, Quansah, Van Dijk, Robertson — Endo, Mac Allister, Szoboszlai — Salah, Nuñez, Diaz
Manchester United team news, focus
The big injury news around United is that Mason Mount is back in training after several months out with a calf injury. That will give Erik ten Hag an extra option in midfield, while Maguire, Wan-Bissaka and Hojlund could all feature in this game. United are still missing Martinez and Shaw badly on the left-side of their defense but Lindelof has slotted in well at left back.
OUT: Anthony Martial (groin), Lisandro Martinez (knee), Tyrell Malacia (knee), Luke Shaw (undisclosed), Omari Forson (undisclosed) | QUESTIONABLE: Mason Mount (calf), Harry Maguire (undisclosed), Jonny Evans (knock)
Liverpool team news, focus
Kelleher, Quansah and Bradley have been excellent stepping in for the injured Alisson, Konate and Alexander-Arnold in recent weeks but Konate could return this weekend. Klopp has Salah back which is a massive boost due to his incredible quality in attack and both Nunez and Diaz have been electric in attack as they’ve tried to fill Salah’s void. Getting the midfield trio right has to be the aim for Klopp as Endo, Mac Allister and Szoboszlai were excellent against Manchester City and that trio should start at United as Liverpool rotate their stretched squad to its limit.
OUT: Trent Alexander-Arnold (knee), Diogo Jota (knee – out months), Alisson (thigh injury), Curtis Jones (ankle), Joel Matip (torn ACL – out for season), Stefan Bajcetic (calf), Thiago Alcantara (groin) | QUESTIONABLE: Ibrahima Konate (thigh)
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