Man Utd book FA Cup semi-final spot with epic extra-time win over Liverpool

Old Trafford was jumping as Erik ten Hag saw his come back for the win.

Manchester United's Marcus Rashford and team-mates Scott McTominay and Harry Maguire celebrate after the full-time whistle. Pic: Martin Rickett/PA Wire

AMAD Diallo settled one of the most memorable FA Cup ties, even in Manchester United’s long history, with a 120th-minute winner and an instant red card.

The United substitute was shown a second yellow for over-celebrating, but well he might, given the nature of his winning goal, scored after United had twice been required to come from behind and hit the Liverpool net twice in the extra periods.

With the clock ticking down, United broke from a Liverpool corner, a move started by Diallo and taken on by Alejandro Garnacho before his return pass allowed the youngster to score past Caoimhin Kelleher.

With the goal, Jurgen Klopp’s last ever FA Cup run was over, although the legendary manager’s farewell tour will continue as he retains interest in the Premier and Europa Leagues.

But United’s season remains just as alive, after they booked an FA Cup semi-final appearance in the most unlikely fashion.

They looked to be going out at the end of normal time, only for substitute Antony to make it 2-2 with his first Old Trafford goal in over a year.

Thrown on as a 71st minute replacement, the under-achieving Brazilian pounced after Garnacho’s progress had been stopped by Harvey Elliott, pivoting and burying in a dramatic equaliser.

There was still time for Elliott to hit the post as Liverpool looked to regain the lead and, with literally the last kick of normal time, Marcus Rashford was unmarked and clean through on goal, only to roll his shot wide.

But in the last minute of the first extra period, Liverpool were back in front as Elliott unleashed a hopeful 20-yard shot, which took an unkind deflection off Christian Eriksen and passed through the legs of Harry Maguire on its way into the United goal.

United refused to surrender, however, and were level again, when Rashford finished from 12 yards, 112 minutes into this classic tie, as he raced onto a Scott McTominay pass and finished clinically for 3-3.

The earlier stages had seen Liverpool fall behind to McTominay’s opening goal, after a bright start from Erik ten Hag’s side, although there was always the feeling that the hosts would need more than a solitary goal.

So it proved, late in the first half, when the visitors scored twice in three minutes to take firm control of the quarter-final.

The equaliser came on 44 minutes after the latest in a long list of dangerous Liverpool build-ups ended with an impressive run by young defender Jarell Quansah and a cross which picked out Darwin Nunez.

He laid the ball off perfectly for Alexis Mac Allister who hammered an unstoppable finish past Andre Onana.

The goal had been coming, with Wataru Endo having an effort ruled out for offside against Mo Salah seven minutes earlier, a decision which VAR confirmed was literally by a matter of inches.

But after levelling, Liverpool looked full of belief, United stunned and, as they had been throughout the half, bothered by the visitors pressing high up the field.

Not for the first time, Onana looked panicked, as did Aaron Wan-Bissaka after receiving the goalkeeper’s pass. He managed to work the ball to Bruno Fernandes who was quickly dispossessed by Joe Gomez.

The Liverpool full-back’s cross was headed away by Victor Lindelof, but only as far as Endo who found Nunez for a shot which was blocked by Onana, for Salah to net the rebound.

It was a devastating collapse by United, who had played some of their best football in weeks in taking a 10th minute lead.

Rashford’s pass sent Garnacho racing into the Liverpool area and after the winger’s initial shot was well blocked by keeper Kelleher, McTominay was on hand to force the rebound over the line.

Man United (4-2-3-1): Onana 6; Dalot 6, Varane 5 (Diallo 85, 8), Lindelof 5 (Mount 115, 5), Wan-Bissaka 6 (Maguire 71, 7); McTominay 7, Mainoo 7 (Eriksen 79, 7); Garnacho 9, Fernandes 7, Rashford 7; Hojlund 6 (Antony 71, 7). Substitutes (not used) Amrabat, Heaton, Kambwala, Forson.

Liverpool (4-3-3): Kelleher 6; Gomez 6 (Tsimikas 100, 5), Quansah 7, van Dijk 6, Robertson 6 (Bradley 76, 5); Szoboszlai 6 (Elliott 71, 8), Endo 7, Mac Allister 7; Salah 7 (Gakpo 76, 5), Nunez 7, Diaz 6 (Clark 113). Substitutes (not used) Adrian, Gravenberch, McConnell, Danns.

Referee: J Brooks 8