18/03/2024
357 times read
18/03/2024
357 times read
MANCHESTER, England, March 18, (AP): There’s still some fight left in Manchester United.
With the season hanging in the balance, Erik ten Hag’s team produced one of the most important wins of his tenure to beat Liverpool 4-3 after extra time in a thrilling FA Cup quarterfinal match.
With nearly the last kick of the match, substitute Amad sent Old Trafford into raptures, ended Liverpool’s bid for a quadruple of trophies, and fired United into the semifinals.
Defeat against the club's fiercest rival Liverpool would likely have seen the pressure on the Dutchman grow. And it was notable that television cameras focused on new director Dave Brailsford as the clock ticked down with Liverpool leading 2-1 as the game approached 90 minutes.
Brailsford is part of the team overseeing United's soccer operations following British billionaire Jim Ratcliffe's recent investment in the club. He looked stone-faced with United seemingly headed out of the competition and Liverpool's away fans making the loudest noise.
Emotions changed drastically inside Old Trafford, however, when Antony leveled the game in the 87th.
Twelve-time FA Cup winner United was later drawn against second-tier Coventry in the semifinals and defending champion Manchester City will play Chelsea, which beat Leicester 4-2 earlier Sunday. Both matches will take place at Wembley.
Nicolo Zaniolo’s goal in the only Premier League game could be crucial in the battle to qualify for the Champions League.
Having been routed 4-0 by fifth-place Tottenham last week, Aston Villa, in fourth, trailed to Michail Antonio's header at West Ham. But Zaniolo’s second-half strike secured a 1-1 draw that moved Villa three points clear of Spurs, having played a game more.
Even then, Unai Emery’s team had to rely on VAR to rule out a stoppage-time goal from Tomas Soucek for handball.
Sixth-place United is nine points behind Villa with a game in hand.
Depending on how English teams perform in Europe this season, the Premier League could be handed an extra Champions League spot, meaning fifth place would gain entry to next season’s competition.