Ten Hag hoping win over Liverpool in epic can be a turning point

Man Utd booked their place in the FA Cup last four with an extra-time victory over their old rivals.

Manchester United's Scott McTominay celebrates with team-mate Andre Onana. Pic: Martin Rickett/PA Wire

AMAD Diallo, one of a number of forgotten men in Manchester United’s under-achieving ranks, settled this astonishing FA Cup tie, with a 120th minute winner and an instant red card, summing up a contest which, quite simply, had everything.

“A massive game in the history of Manchester United,” Marcus Rashford called this quarter-final victory and, while that may have been emotion getting the better of the England striker, there was no denying the incredible drama of one of the ties of this, or any other recent, FA Cup season.

Indeed, just as Mark Robins is remembered as the man whose FA Cup goal saved Alex Ferguson’s job at Nottingham Forest in 1990, Diallo may have served the same service for Erik ten Hag yesterday.

And, for those who believe in omens, just to draw a complete circle, Diallo’s winner has set up a semi-final Wembley meeting with Coventry next month - managed, of course, by Robins.

“I’m so happy for him,” said ten Hag. “He is one of the players who has had huge setbacks this season, been injured then doesn’t always get the playing time he deserves because there are other players in his position.

“And Antony, as well. He scored the equaliser and is also in a problematic situation. You can see he is fighting as well.

“Such moments can help you in a season, every team needs them. We have never had them this season so this could be that moment - when the team can really believe and have the energy that they can do amazing things.” 

This was certainly amazing and this quarter-final was already heading for the stuff of legend, not to mention a penalty shoot-out, when United cleared a Liverpool corner in the final minute of the 120 and Diallo started a break upfield, with a pass to Alejandro Garnacho.

The pair sprinted away, with only Conor Bradley for company, and Garnacho returned the pass for Diallo to score with a perfect finish into the corner of Caoimhin Kelleher’s goal.

The United substitute was shown a second yellow for over-celebrating and taking off his shirt, 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 winner, 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 also remains alive and, with many more of these sort of spirited performances, perhaps ten Hag’s job status under the new ownership of Jim Ratcliffe will be the same.

“That’s the first time I’ve really seen my team struggle physically,” said Klopp. “It is how it is. We have played a lot of football recently.

“Everybody who saw the game saw two teams who understood the importance of the occasion and the competition and tried to advance. We tried everything today but didn’t get a lot for it.” 

It had all looked very different as the first 90 minutes ticked down and United trailed 2-1, only for substitute Antony, arguably the most disappointing of all the poor United performers this season, to make it 2-2 with his first Old Trafford goal in over a year, swivelling to score after Garnacho’s progress had been stopped by Harvey Elliott.

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, 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.

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

The earlier stages had seen Liverpool fall behind early, to McTominay’s opening goal, after a bright start from the hosts, 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 following an impressive run by young defender Jarell Quansah and a cross which picked out Darwin Nunez who found Alexis Mac Allister for a clinical finish.

The goal had been coming, with Wataru Endo having an effort ruled out for offside against Mo Salah and, after levelling, Liverpool pressed deep into United territory and Bruno Fernandes was quickly dispossessed by Joe Gomez.

The Liverpool full-back’s cross was headed away by Victor Lindelof, but Endo found Nunez and, after his shot was blocked by Andre Onana, Salah netted 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 when a Garnacho effort was well blocked by keeper Caoimhin Kelleher, with McTominay was on hand to force the rebound over the line.

There were plenty of more twists along the way but, claimed ten Hag after it was all over, his stars had answered many, if not all, of their critics.

“I don’t understand why they have been questioned because they have great character, real determination and we have seen that again today,” said ten Hag.

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