"We bought the ref", "Varchester United" - Twitter explodes as Manchester United beat nine-man Fulham in tense FA Cup quarterfinal
Manchester United secured a 3-1 comeback win against nine-man Fulham to advance to the FA Cup semifinals on Sunday (19 March). The Red Devils were second best until the Cottagers were reduced to nine men in a second-half implosion.
Fulham made a brilliant start to the game, looking the more likely to score the opener. Bernd Leno had very little to do as Manchester United lacked firepower. Scott McTominay and Marcel Sabitzer's midfield partnership rarely worked during a poor first-half showing from the Reds.
Erik ten Hag could be seen shouting out instructions to his players as they struggled to get a foothold in the game. The Red Devils needed to improve after a lackluster first-half display.
Fulham took a deserved lead in the 50th minute through Aleksandr Mitrovic. The Serbian tapped home following a brilliant knock-on from Issa Diop. The Manchester United players argued that Rashford was fouled during the goal but to no avail. The Red Devils lacked the usual spark and energy they have conjured up during Ten Hag's debut campaign at Old Trafford.
Mitrovic nearly grabbed his second in the 64th minute with a superb header. However, David de Gea kept United in the FA Cup with a phenomenal save to deny the Serb. He then sent another effort just wide of De Gea's goal seconds later.
Manchester United dramatically broke on the counter in the 68th minute when Antony played Jadon Sancho through on goal. The English attacker rounded Fulham goalkeeper Bernd Leno before firing towards goal. Willian raced back onto the goalline but prevented the ball from crossing the line with his hand.
Three red cards were then dished out in 30 seconds of madness. Fulham boss Marco Silva was sent off for interfering while referee Chris Kavanagh went to see Willian's handball on the pitchside monitor. The Brazilian was also given his marching orders as a penalty was awarded. Mitrovic nudged the official in anger and he was also handed a red card. This was an utter implosion from the Cottagers when they were still ahead in the tie.
Fernades duly converted the penalty. Manchester United went from 1-0 down to 2-1 up in the blink of an eye in the 77th minute. Sabitzer scored his first goal in Red Devils colors and he didn't know much about it. The Austrian backheeled it on the turn and wheeled away in delight. VAR reviewed the goal and Old Trafford celebrated once again as the goal was awarded.
Fernandes then added a 90+6th minute third as he smashed home his 10th goal of the season across competitions. The Red Devils nicked a victory over nine-man Fulham and advanced to the FA Cup semifinals where they will face Brighton & Hove Albion.
One United fan thought the ref was on his team's side:
"WE BOUGHT THE REF!!! HAHAHAHA."
Meanwhile, a Manchester City fan has sympathies for Fulham after the three red cards:
"I’m sorry I know how it feels to go to the swamp and have the refs against you. Varchester united."
Here's how Twitter reacted to Manchester United's crucial comeback win:
71' - Marco Silva red card
72' - Aleksandar Mitrovic red card
72' - Willian red card
75' - Bruno scores
77' - Sabitzer scores https://t.co/kJ1s5LuqkJ
🚨🚨| Marcel Sabitzer has become the first Austrian player EVER to score for Manchester United. 🔥
Look how much that meant to him 😍🇦🇹 https://t.co/M6aMP6goTw
Bruno gets nothing for pushing a linesman but mitrovic gets a straight red for bumping the ref , inconsistent VAR Embarrassing
@StoolFootball @ollie_25 If I speak. https://t.co/WmaHCGEGQp
Varchester united@FulhamFC I’m sorry I know how it feels to go to the swamp and have the refs against you 😔 Varchester united
Mitrović deserves a long-term ban, no place for that in football. Fulham should be ashamed! #FACup
Fair play to Fulham, lesser teams would've lost their heads...
Sancho playing 4D chess here, could have scored easy but he saw the double red card and pen play
WE BOUGHT THE REF!!! HAHAHAHA
Mitrovic needs Anger management classes🤣🤣🤣
This Weghorst bloke starts EVERY GAME
Mitrovic to the referee after he sent Willian off: https://t.co/Bxr328wyrD
Willian, Mitrovic and Marco Silva in the dressing room https://t.co/ocBNxJixxv
BRUNO FERNANDES BEST IN THE WORLDDDD WIN THIS NOWWW
Just a reminder that Bruno Fernandes didn’t get a red card for striking an official. https://t.co/eUEdm67nXd
Don’t get it twisted fulham were dominating us then they lost their heads 😂😂😂
Antony changed today's game
Mitrovic is a really dumb mf
Fulham would still have won this with 10 men.
You wouldnt tell they have an advantage watchin utd after the cards
João Palhinha is some player btw.
WHAT A BULLETTTTTTTTTTTTT!!!!!
Hahahah Bruno 😘
Mitrovic is a nutcase LOL
Antony’s been quality, proper game changer
If you don’t think Fulham deserved those red cards then you’re just a clown, stopping a goal with your hand and man handling the referee
71st minute - Fulham 1-0 Man United.
72nd minute - Fulham 2 red cards.
73rd minute - Fulham’s manager sent off.
75th minute - Fulham 1-1 Man United.
77th minute - Fulham 1-2 Man United.
This is why we love football… https://t.co/Sjy1bQ7hma
This season is unprecedented. So many factors come into play. Thus, they are not overly concerned with performances. Just chase the results for now. Next season, we'll have both.
Great Job so far.
#MUFC https://t.co/TNHuYyhc3Y
Manchester United boss Ten Hag explained why Raphael Varane missed Fulham clash
Raphael Varane was a notable absentee from the Manchester United squad that faced Fulham. The French defender was an unused substitute as the Red Devils beat Real Betis 1-0 midweek to advance to the Europa League quarterfinals.
Ten Hag has revealed that Varane is carrying a knock but could be available after the international break. He told MUTV:
“He’s injured. It’s difficult to say but I think it’s something small. I think he’ll recover and be back after the international break.”
Varane won't be in action during the break as he announced his retirement from international football in early February. Ten Hag will be eager for the defender to get back to fitness as they look to keep pace with their rivals in the top-four race. The Red Devils will next be in action against fifth-placed Newcastle United next Sunday (April 2). They hold a three-point lead over the Magpies.