"Saved from going out of existence by VAR" - Top 10 funny memes as 'clowns' Manchester United beat Coventry in FA Cup S/F
Rival fans have brutally Manchester United for their FA Cup semifinal win against Coventry City today (April 21). The Red Devils won 4-2 on penalties after a remarkable 3-3 draw (a.e.t) of which the players were 'too ashamed to celebrate'.
One of the most remarkable FA Cup semifinals in history cruelly went the way of the Premier League giants. Erik ten Hag's side should have been out of sight when they were 3-0 up with 30 minutes of regulation time remaining.
Scott McTominay finished off a fine move in the 23rd minute to open the scoring. The Scottish midfielder tucked home from close range to give his side the lead.
Manchester United went 2-0 ahead in the 45+1st minute when Harry Maguire headed home. The English defender rose highest to bury the ball past Coventry's English goalkeeper Bradley Collins.
Ten Hag's men looked to be cruising to the FA Cup final and another meeting with rivals Manchester City. They made it 3-0 in the 58th minute whose left-footed effort deflected off English defender Bobby Thomas.
However, Manchester United faltered and a 30-minute moment of madness allowed Coventry back into the game. Former Everton striker Ellis Simms gave Mark Robins' side hope with the pick of the bunch, an excellent 71st-minute half-volley.
Ten Hag's men failed to see the game out and the Sky Blues pounced once again eight minutes later. Former Aston Villa attacker Callum O'Hare let rip and his attempt deflected off Aaron Wan-Bissaka and past United goalkeeper Andre Onana.
The drama was relentless and Wan-Bissaka's day went from bad to worse in the dying embers of added time. He gave away a penalty after handling in his box and the impressive Haji Wright sent Onana the wrong way from the spot.
Coventry looked to have sealed the most amazing comeback victory in the competition's history in the 120+1st minute. Danish striker Victor Torp fired the EFL Championship outfit into a 4-3 lead and assumingly a place in the FA Cup final.
The Sky Blues fans celebrations were cut short by VAR which reared its ugly head. An offside was given by the slimmest of margins and United were let off and Ten Hag was well aware that co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe was present at Wembley.
Manchester United's hopes of preventing a giant killing rested on a penalty shootout. They would have to replicate their performance from last season's semifinal which they won on penalties against Brighton & Hove Albion.
However, Casemiro gave them the worst possible start when he struck his attempt straight at Collins. Wright put Coventry in the lead before Diogo Dalot and Torp converted their spot kicks.
Onana came to the fore when he denied O'Hare superbly after Christian Eriksen tucked his penalty away. Fernandes had no problem finding the net but former Arsenal defender Ben Sheaf blasted his attempt over the bar.
It was up to Rasmus Hojlund to send the Red Devils into the FA Cup final and he fired home the winner. It was a win but a somewhat embarrassing one for Ten Hag's side which one fan described to be a circus:
"Manchester United is just a club full of clowns, right from the management to the players."
UK gambling company Paddy Power hilariously highlighted VAR coming to United's rescue:
"OFFSIDE! Man United saved from going out of existence by VAR."
Here are other hysterical memes from X (formerly Twitter) after Manchester United's rollercoaster ride at Wembley:
Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes admits his side need to improve
Manchester United advanced to the FA Cup for the second consecutive season but they're receiving criticism more than praise. Their second-half collapse against Coventry has been a regular occurrence throughout the season.
Fernandes was a bright spark for United amid their topsy-turvy win and he gave an honest assessment of the game. The Portuguese playmaker said (via transfer expert Fabrizio Romano):
"We have to do much better. The standard of Manchester United is much higher than what we have been doing."
The FA Cup is the Red Devils' last hope of silverware this season as they crashed out of the UEFA Champions League in the group stages. Their defense of their Carabao Crown lasted until the Round of 16 and they are out of the top four race.