Manchester United secures FA Cup final spot with unexpected win over Coventry City

Manchester United secured their spot in the final of the FA Cup after defeating Coventry City in a tense match that ended in penalties. Despite the victory, there were no wild celebrations or tears of joy from the United players.

Sports journalist Luke Edwards described the win as "the most humiliating victory I've seen for a long time." The United players appeared flat and lacked enthusiasm even after securing their place in one of the most historic competitions in world football.

The Premier League giant had a strong start to the game, quickly taking a 3-0 lead. It seemed like they were on their way to securing a win with less than an hour of play.

However, just as they have experienced all season, things began to unravel for the 12-time FA Cup winner.

Coventry, a team in the second division of English football, scored two goals within 10 minutes in the second half at Wembley Stadium. This put a lot of pressure on the Reds in the final stages of the game. Unfortunately, the Reds were unable to cope with the pressure, as has been the case in previous matches.

Manchester United's Harry Maguire celebrates after scoring his side's second goal.

Manchester United's Harry Maguire celebrates after scoring his side's second goal.

Alastair Grant/AP

United once again found themselves conceding a late penalty, this time against Coventry, just as they did in their recent matches against Chelsea and Liverpool. The penalty was converted, leading the match into extra-time.

To add to United's woes, Coventry began to outshine them on the field, almost clinching a victory before a close offside call disallowed a potential last-minute winning goal.

United went on to win the match through a penalty shootout. However, the excitement of the victory was dampened when Rasmus Højlund scored the winning spot-kick.

The striker celebrated by pumping his chest in front of the crowd, anticipating his teammates to join him. Surprisingly, defender Harry Maguire diverted his attention to the Coventry players and congratulated them on their performance. Meanwhile, many other United players remained near the center circle, not joining in the celebration.

The attention was mainly on Coventry and their near miss in creating one of the most unforgettable moments in FA Cup history.

In a statement to BBC's Football Daily podcast, Edwards expressed his thoughts on Manchester United's performance, stating that despite the positive outcome, the team showed weaknesses in terms of toughness, leadership, and character.

They underestimated Coventry and eased up on their efforts, almost facing serious consequences.

They were struggling and were fortunate to be saved by a close VAR decision. They were just 20 seconds away from being eliminated.

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag is facing questions over his future at the club.

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag is facing questions over his future at the club.

Manchester United will face Manchester City in the final, aiming to secure their first trophy of the season. However, Sunday's performance added more pressure on manager Erik ten Hag.

‘You don’t know what you’re going to get’

The lack of leadership on display was what worried former United captain Roy Keane the most.

Pundit Keane expressed his frustration with Manchester United during an interview with ITV. He highlighted the team's inconsistency and tendency to play in moments, which often leads to giving opposing teams opportunities.

I don't see any strong character in this group of players. Honestly, I'm starting to feel like I don't even like them anymore.

Ten Hag's future at the club has been in question ever since British petrochemical billionaire Jim Ratcliffe bought a 25% stake in the club this year. Performances like the most recent one will only add to worries about the club's direction under his leadership.

Cole Palmer celebrates with his teammates after his winning goal against Manchester United.

Cole Palmer celebrates with his teammates after his winning goal against Manchester United.

Robin Jones/Getty Images

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United currently sits seventh in the Premier League table after a torrid run of results.

The Dutchman, however, preferred to look at the bright side after the match. He pointed out that the team has made it to two FA Cup finals in his two seasons as the coach.

"It was an amazing game, quite unusual too. We were in control for most of the game, but lost grip towards the end. Nonetheless, we displayed resilience to secure the victory in the penalty shootout," shared Ten Hag with the media.

It's a mix of emotions for us. We feel happy about reaching the final, which is a big accomplishment.

Personally, I really want to win. I believe we have a strong possibility of winning the final, even though we are up against the best team in the world. We have proven ourselves this season and I think we can do it.

United superfan cycles from Mongolia

While many of United’s fans criticized their club on social media, one supporter will be very thankful for the win.

Ochirvaani Batbold, a 26-year-old superfan from Mongolia, traveled nearly 7,000 kilometers to watch a match at Wembley Stadium - all by bicycle.

Batbold shared with journalist Andy Mitten on Sunday that for him, Manchester United represents dramatic comebacks, The Theatre of Dreams, great players, Sir Alex Ferguson, a great story, and a never-give-up mentality. Unfortunately, his own dreams of becoming a top-flight footballer were dashed by injuries.

I made the decision to travel by bike just two weeks before the trip. Originally, I had planned on running, but I realized I needed a team, a lot of money, and a car to make that happen. So, I changed my plans and opted to cycle instead.

Even though United's performance on Sunday may have given fans nightmares, it did give Batbold a memorable match to reward his epic journey.

Editor's P/S:

The article highlights the lackluster performance of Manchester United in their FA Cup victory against Coventry City, a team from a lower division. Despite securing a spot in the final, the players displayed a disappointing lack of enthusiasm and character. Sports journalist Luke Edwards described it as "the most humiliating victory I've seen for a long time," emphasizing the team's inability to cope with pressure and their recurring tendency to concede late penalties. Former United captain Roy Keane expressed his frustration with the team's inconsistency, questioning their leadership and stating, "I don't see any strong character in this group of players."

The article also discusses the uncertain future of manager Erik ten Hag, who has faced criticism for his team's poor performances. Despite reaching two FA Cup finals under his leadership, concerns remain about the club's direction and his ability to guide them to success. The article concludes with the story of Ochirvaani Batbold, a dedicated United fan who cycled nearly 7,000 kilometers from Mongolia to witness the match, providing a glimpse of the passion and resilience that still exists among the club's supporters.