Harry Maguire of Manchester United celebrates scoring their 2nd goal with teammates Bruno Fernandes, Scott McTominay and Rasmus Hojlund during the Emirates FA Cup Semi Final match between Coventry City and Manchester United at Wembley Stadium | Getty Images
Manchester United beat Coventry City 4-2 in penalties after 3-3 full and extra time
By Valentine Amanze
Nigeria’s ex-international footballer, and Paok of Greece former defender, Mr. Ifeanyi Udeze, has lambasted Manchester United for what he described as a shambolic performance in their FA Cup semi-final with a Championship side, Coventry City, at Wembley on Sunday April 21, 2024.
Though Manchester United eventually won by 4-2 after penalty shootout, Udeze said that it was unheard of a big club like Manchester United to boggle a 3-0 advantage in the first half to a little pressure from a lower division side in an important competition like FA Cup.
Coventry City scored three goals within 20 minutes in the second half to drag the match to extra time and the eventual penalty shootout.
Udeze, who was analysing the match in the Lagos-based Brila FM radio on Monday, said that if he were the management of Manchester United that he would penalise both players and their manager, Ten Hag, by asking them to pay fine for their poor management of the game yesterday.
Ifeanyi Udeze | File Image
Recall that the poor defending of the Manchester side and the “wrong” changes Ten Hag made brought the Coventry side back to the game.
It was all roses for Manchester United in the first 45 minutes of the game when Scott McTominay opened scoring for the Red Devils in the 25th minute, while the former captain, Harry Maguire, made it double in the 38th minute.
In the 45th minute, Captain Bruno Fernandes, made it three, after Rashford had squandered many scoring chances.
Also read: Champions League quarter-final: Real Madrid, Manchester City draw 3-3
In the second half, the rash decision by Ten Hag to remove Ganarcho, who constantly harassed Coventry City defence, with Antony; and replacement of Mainoo with Erikson, was the tonic the Coventory City side needed to bounce back as they scored two goals in seven minutes. A controversial decision within Manchester United’s 18 yard box gave the championship side their third goal.
Ten Hag again has shown that his problem was not the injured players but game management.
Manchester United will now meet their neighbour, Manchester City, in FA Cup final scheduled for Wembley on May 18, 2024.
Manchester City defeated Manchester United in the FA Cup final in Wembley Station last year.
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