LONDON: Manchester United was almost embarrassed by the second division club, Coventry City before winning 4-2 through penalties in the semi-final of the FA Cup at Wembley Stadium.
The winner had to be decided by penalty kicks after Coventry, who had previously been three goals behind, made a sensational comeback to tie United 3-3.
Erik Ten Hag’s squad opened the scoring in the 24th minute when Scott McTominay easily finished Diogo Dalot’s pass in the penalty box.
United headed into the dressing room more comfortably after defender Harry Maguire headed in a Bruno Fernandes corner in first-half stoppage time.
Fernandes then doubled the advantage for United by scoring the third goal in the 58th minute, but Coventry managed to close the gap when Ellis Simms finished Fabio Tavares’ pass in the 71st minute.
Eight minutes later, the Red Devils began to suffer when Coventry got their second goal thanks to Callum O’Hare’s goal which resulted from Simms’ pass.
The rise of Mark Robins’ squad continued as they managed to equalize through Haji Wright’s penalty goal in stoppage time after the ball hit Aaron Wan-Bissaka’s hands to drag the match into extra time.
Both teams, however, failed to add a goal during extra time which saw the winner having to be decided through a penalty shootout.
Rasmus Hojlund appeared to be the savior of United’s dignity when he finished the last penalty to take his team to the final after O’Hare and Ben Sheaf failed to complete the kick for Coventry.
The victory allows United to book a clash with neighbors Manchester City in the final stage on May 25.