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Manchester United defeated Coventry City in a penalty shootout after letting a three goal lead slip in the FA Cup semi-final at Wembley.
Erik ten Hag’s side looked to be in control, with first-half goals from Scott McTominay and Harry Maguire, before Bruno Fernandes added a third just before the hour.
The Sky Blues left it late to beat Wolves in the quarter-finals, and started their comeback at 3-0 down, with goals from Ellis Simms and Callum O’Hare getting them back in contention before Haji Wright’s stoppage time penalty took it to extra time.
Mail Sport’s NATHAN SALT provides his ratings on both sides from Wembley.
Manchester United overcame Coventry City in a shootout at the end of a dramatic semi-final
Scott McTominay scored the opening goal as Manchester United took control of the semi-final
But Coventry came from 3-0 down to take it to extra time with Haji Wright’s penalty kick
The Sky Blues thought they had scored a 121st-minute winner, but it was pulled back for offside
Coventry City (3-4-1-2)
Bradley Collins – 6
Will be disappointed with the opening goal and miscuing his dive for the cross, but he redeemed himself with a fine stop to deny Marcus Rashford. Could do nothing about Maguire’s bullet header or Fernandes’ finish through a crowded box.
Liam Kitching – 5
Was always going to be a tough ask sitting so deep and trying to keep the United onslaught at bay. Often found himself caught between going out to help his wing-back and staying inside in the area.
Joel Latibeaudiere – 5.5
Will have been frustrated with his defending for the first United goal but could do little about the second before he was taken off in Coventry’s second-half treble substitution.
Bobby Thomas – 6
Put his head on the line to prevent a Bruno Fernandes pile-driver in a one-sided first half and made some key blocks amid the onslaught.
Jake Bidwell – 5.5
Was tasked with keeping Alejandro Garnacho and Diogo Dalot quiet and he failed. Admittedly, plenty of Premier League players have fluffed that same assignment.
Coventry’s Bradley Collins will be disappointed with the first goal, but redeemed himself later
Ben Sheaf found Kobbie Mainoo often was one step ahead of him for the first 70 minutes
Ben Sheaf – 6
Coventry still have hopes of making the Championship play-offs and Sheaf will no doubt get far more joy in remaining matches than he did here. Found Mainoo to often be one step ahead of him before the Man United man was withdrawn.
Josh Eccles – 6
Tough afternoon for Eccles, much like Sheaf, against an accomplished trio in Mainoo, McTominay and Fernandes. Was taken off just after the hour.
Milan van Ewijk – 6.5
Came alive in an attacking sense in the second half and at least tried to keep United and Wan-Bissaka honest defensively. Had his work cut out trying to keep pace with Rashford in the early stages but soon got over any possible stage fright.
Callum O’Hare – 7
Has found himself in and out of the starting line-up this season but his creativity was on display enough here to suggest he can land a Premier League move on a free transfer this summer. Got a stroke of luck to see his speculative effort go in off the back of Wan-Bissaka but they all count.
Haji Wright – 6.5
Showed all his class when faced with the pressure penalty at the end to force extra-time. Had the chance to win in the second half of extra-time but dragged his shot and he could barely believe it.
Ellis Simms – 6.5
Had a huge opportunity to level the game up at 1-1, before he lost Maguire on the corner which made it 2-0 to United. Did produce the loudest cheer of the day with his goal in front of the Coventry end – which caused two flares to be thrown on – to make it 3-1.
MANAGER: Mark Robins – 7
It’s easy to say in hindsight that his side should have thrown caution to the wind earlier but he’d have been questioned if they’d have been hammered. Deserves so much credit for the spirit his players showed in a super second half.
The goal from Ellis Simms to make it 3-1 sparked pandemonium from the Coventry City fans
Mark Robins could have gambled earlier, but deserves credit for an exceptional second half
Victor Torp came off the bench and scored at the very end, but it was ruled out for an offside
SUBS
Luis Binks (for Liam Kitching, 63) – 6.5
Fabio Tavares (for Joel Latibeaudiere, 63) – 5
Victor Torp (for Josh Eccles, 63) – 5.5
Josh Dasilva (for Jake Bidwell, 80) – 6
Manchester United (4-2-3-1)
Andre Onana – 6.5
Was a total passenger in the first half as United walked themselves into a 2-0 lead but was well beaten by Simms 20 minutes from time and could do nothing about O’Hare’s effort. Was the pantomime villain for the Coventry fans given how long he took for each goal-kick.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka – 4.5
Coventry’s first goal started with a cross down his side and he turned his back on the ball to deflect in O’Hare’s strike. Then he gave away the late penalty with a handball. Nightmare.
Harry Maguire – 7
Dominated from the off and scored a textbook header from a Bruno Fernandes corner. He wasn’t totally comfortable at Bournemouth but he powered through and, as United’s only fit senior centre back, stood up when Ten Hag needed him most.
Andre Onana could do little about Coventry’s goals but made a crucial stop in the shoot-out
Aaron Wan-Bissaka had a nightmare, including giving away the penalty for the leveller
Casemiro – 6.5
There was an underlying nervousness at seeing him slot into the back-line in the absence of Willy Kambwala – but fear not. Casemiro wasn’t troubled with a great deal defensively but he was left to handle two and couldn’t when Coventry scored their first.
Diogo Dalot – 7
Started brilliantly and was United’s best player for an hour, making crucial contributions at both ends. His assist for Scott McTominay’s opener was brilliant, and his goal-line block to deny Ellis Simms soon after was even better.
Kobbie Mainoo – 6.5
The composure he has is remarkable every time he graces venues like this. Was a solid, rather than spectacular, showing this one, instead passing the creative baton onto the front players.
Scott McTominay – 7
Notched his 10th goal of the season with the opener to set United on their way. His athleticism in midfield is a massive boost when paired alongside Mainoo. Should have done more to close down O’Hare before he scored, though.
Bruno Fernandes – 8
Ran the game in midfield for United and bagged a goal and assist en route to another FA Cup final. He’s got his critics but he’s Manchester United’s most important player and they’ll need him on top form if they are to exact revenge on City in the final.
Bruno Fernandes ran the game in midfield for Manchester United, and hit the bar in extra time
Marcus Rashford – 6.5
Was guilty of trying to do it all himself for large spells of the first half but he saw plenty of the ball and looked dynamic. Will be frustrated he didn’t get himself a couple of goals.
Rasmus Hojlund – 5.5
Hasn’t looked the same since returning from injury, but in truth he did a lot get many chances to get back among the goals. Hojlund does a lot of dirty work and should get a running start going into next season.
Alejandro Garnacho – 6.5
His first game since Twitter-gate, where he had liked posts criticising Erik ten Hag’s decision to take him off at Bournemouth, and he was a constant nuisance for Coventry. Didn’t look best pleased when he was United’s first substitution, though.
MANAGER – Erik ten Hag – 7
Arrived here in a suit with Avram Glazer, Joel Glazer, Jason Wilcox, Dave Brailsford and Sir Jim Ratcliffe all in attendance. Won’t get loads of credit for beating a second tier side but it’s back to back FA Cup finals for him at United. Impressive.
Erik ten Hag looked to have secured back-to-back FA Cup finals before the dramatic comeback
SUBS
Antony (for Alejandro Garnacho, 66) – 5
Christian Eriksen (for Kobbie Mainoo, 71) – 5
Amad Diallo (for Marcus Rashford, 90+6) – 6
Omari Forson (for Scott McTominay, 102) – 6.5
