When a team secures a spot in the final of one of the most historic competitions in international football, one may expect frenetic celebrations and tears of joy, but Manchester United did not have that on Sunday.
United’s players stayed notably flat after defeating second-tier Coventry City on penalties in the FA Cup semifinals, in what sport journalist Luke Edwards described as “the most humiliating victory I’ve seen in a long time.”
The Premier League powerhouse enjoyed a strong start to the game, leading 3-0 and appearing to be in control with less than an hour remaining.
However, as they have done throughout this volatile season, things began to go horribly wrong for the 12-time FA Cup winner.
Coventry, who plays in the English second division, scored two goals in the last ten minutes of the game at Wembley Stadium to put on the pressure. And, as has been the case on numerous times with this club, the Reds were unable to bear the heat.
United conceded a late penalty, which Coventry scored to send the game into extra time, just as they had against Chelsea and Liverpool earlier this month in the league.
Then followed further humiliation, as Coventry began to play significantly better than United, coming within a hair of winning the game before a razor-thin offside call kept out a last-minute winner.
United won in a penalty shootout, although celebrations were muted after Rasmus Højlund converted the crucial kick.
As the striker thumped his chest in front of the crowd, he may have expected his teammates to follow suit. However, defender Harry Maguire turned to the Coventry players and quickly praised them on their performance, as many of United’s stars remained standing around the centre circle.
United cannot come out of that and say it was a positive day for them. The only positive thing about it was the outcome.
“They took their foot off the gas and took Coventry too lightly, almost paying the ultimate price.”
“They were on the ropes, and a toe-nail VAR judgement saved them. They were 20 seconds away from going out.”
Manchester United will face Manchester City in the final, looking to win their first trophy of the season, but Sunday’s performance added to the pressure on manager Erik ten Hag.
You don’t know what you’re going to get’
The lack of leadership on display concerned former United captain Roy Keane the most.
“We have the same conversation about Manchester United every week,” analyst Keane told broadcaster ITV.
“You’re not sure what you’ll get. They are inconsistent. They play at crucial moments and create opportunities for their teams.
“I honestly don’t see any character in this set of players. I’m getting to the point where I nearly dislike them.
Ten Hag’s future at the club has been called into question since British petrochemical billionaire Jim Ratcliffe bought a 25% stake in the team this year, and performances like the most recent one may raise further doubts about the club’s direction under his ownership.
United is now sixth in the Premier League rankings following a disastrous run of results.
The Dutchman, on the other hand, was eager to focus on the positives following the game, pointing out that the team has now reached two FA Cup finals in his first two seasons in command.
“It was an extraordinary and bizarre game. We had complete control for so long before giving it up in the latter stages of the game. The decision to travel by bike was made around two weeks before the trip.
“There are mixed feelings. We may be proud of our accomplishment; making it to the finals is enormous.
United superfan cycled from Mongolia
While many United fans have criticised the club on social media, one fan will be grateful for the triumph.
Ochirvaani Batbold, a 26-year-old Mongolian superfan, watched the match at Wembley Stadium after cycling over 7,000 miles.
For me, Manchester United is about dramatic comebacks, The Theatre of Dreams, amazing players, Sir Alex Ferguson, a wonderful story, and a never-give-up spirit.” Batbold told writer Andy Mitten on Sunday, adding that his own hopes of becoming a top-flight footballer were cut short by injury.
I knew I was going on a trip and had long pondered running, but doing so would require a team, a lot of money, and a car. So I modified my plans and chose to bike.”
While United’s performance on Sunday would have given many fans nightmares, it did provide Batbold with a memorable match to commemorate his remarkable journey.
