Manchester United booked their place in the FA Cup semi finals after a dramatic 4-3 win in extra time against bitter rivals Liverpool.
The Reds were on course for an unprecedented quadruple and have already ticked off the first major trophy of the season after beating Chelsea 1-0 at Wembley a few weeks ago in the League Cup final. The quadruple was well and truly on for them on all fronts in Jurgen Klopp’s last few months in charge.
Scott McTominay’s 10th minute strike sent the home team ahead after turning home Alejandro Garnacho's well struck shot which was parried away in his path by the goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher. The game was then twisted in Liverpool's favour right at the end of the half. Alexis Mac Allister and Mohamed Salah restored parity and then sent the victors ahead in the space of three minutes on the cusp of the interval.
Anthony was introduced to the game deep into the second half and came up trumps 15 minutes after his introduction. He collected a ball in the box and smartly turned like a ballerina dancer at Broadways leaving three defenders in his wake before slotting home a low effort into the bottom corner to make it 2-2.
Harvey Elliot, a Liverpool second half substitute, fired a blinder from about 30 yards. It took a wicked deflection from Christian Eriksen and flew past the hapless Andre Onana in goal to make it 3-2 in the first period of extra time.
It looked all but over for United’s quest for silverware this season. Liverpool were clearly in control and were heading for only their fifth victory in Cup competitions against Manchester United, but the Red Devils had other plans. Marcus Rashford, who should have put the game to bed in regular time, finally got his name on the scoresheet to make it 3-3, after he was sent through by McTominay.
On a last counter attack, Amad Diallo rushed out to close down Elliot and nicked the ball and then sent Garnacho on his way. Garnacho then slipped Diallo through who then took it past Bradley before drilling a low shot Past Kelleher and into the far bottom corner for 4-3 to secure the win, before being sent off for two yellow cards after taking his shirt off.
Here are the player ratings:
GK: Andre Onana - 8/10:
Onana made 8 big saves despite conceding 3 goals two of which took a wicked deflection and wrong foot the shot stopper. He kept his side into the and gave them a fighting chance with some acrobatic saves to deny Darwin Nunez and Salah.
RB: Diogo Dalot - 6/10:
Dalot did as was expected he made 5 clearances and had 11 recoveries. Playing on his preferred side, he showed what he can offer comfortably.
CB: Raphael Varane - 5/10:
A few lapses in concentration and awareness were committed. He failed to pick up an unmarked Salah, who smashed one from close range before halftime.
CB: Victor Lindelof - 5/10:
The best part of his game was that half chance he got to clinch the winner. He was often caught out of position and failed miserably to close down and mark Nunez, hence he failed to impose himself on the game.
LB: Aaron Wan-Bissaka - 6/10:
His poor touch and poor decision led to the first goal. But besides this, he put in a solid shift for the first 40 minutes of the game on his return to the side.
CM: Scott McTominay - 8/10:
Going forward, he showed loads of energy and desire. As a result, he was in a great position to steer home the opener. His cheeky pass was perfectly placed for Rashford to score. He somehow needs to work on his defensive side to raise his player profile to a starting position at Old Trafford.
CM: Kobbie Mainoo - 8/10:
As cool as the nose of a polar bear in winter. Such is this kid with or without the ball. He made some marauding runs and often put his team in a good position to score. He defended well and made some great tackles in and around the box to break up play to win back possession.
RW: Alejandro Garnacho - 7/10:
His pace and agility continues to frustrate defenders. After getting two penalties in his last game, he was again instrumental in Manchester United’s win. His well drilled shot helped create McTominay's opening goal and he also has a hand in Diallo's winner.
CAM: Bruno Fernandes - 7/10:
After picking up an early yellow card, he was like an acrobat walking on ropes at a circus. He narrowly escaped a second yellow coupled with his constant bickering with officials about no calls which seems to have infuriated the fans at the Stretford End. Blistered through his injury in extra time as a centre back.
LW: Marcus Rashford - 6/10:
The Englishman could easily have gotten the MOTM award if he had cliched the tie in the last kick of the game in 90 minutes. However, his persistence and constant involvement were enough as he came up with a vital goal when the team needed it most. Clutch.
ST: Rasmus Hojlund - 5/10:
On his return from injury, he was thrown into the deep end of it. However, he was hardly visible as of such. Made way for Antony who got one of the 4 goals.
Substitutes:
SUB: Antony (71' for Hojlund) - 7/10:
What a way to put a finger on the lips of his critics with an important cameo. Scoring United's equaliser and showed a glimpse, when using his right foot, of why Erik Ten Hag bought him last summer.
SUB: Harry Maguire (71’ for Wan-Bissaka) - 7/10:
Like knife through butter. So was the ball though his legs for Elliot’s goal, but apart from that he was on the front foot since entering the field. Put in a commanding performance when thrown at centre forward late in the game.
SUB: Christian Eriksen (80' for Mainoo) - 6/10:
The Dane rolled back the years with an audacious dink over Liverpool's defence for Rashford in the closing moments of the game but his shot went painstakingly wide. Took an unlucky deflection on what could have been the losing goal.
SUB: Amad Diallo (85' for Varane) - 7/10:
Cometh the hour, cometh Amad. An incredible moment for the Ivorian to grab the winner, despite forgetting he was already booked before being sent off for removing his shirt. Bu he nor any Manchester United fan cared in the moment.
SUB: Mason Mount (105' for Lindelof) - 6/10:
N/A
Erik ten Hag - 9/10:
He made a few unpopular substitutions today in an effort for the win and both his substitutes came up big for him. Is this the Mark Robbins type of game for the Dutchman?