“It’s higher to be fortunate than good generally,” was Roy Keane’s verdict on Manchester United’s 3-1 comeback victory in opposition to Fulham within the FA Cup quarter-finals.
Having clocked up over nearly 500 appearances and captained the membership throughout essentially the most profitable interval within the membership’s historical past, it’s protected to say Keane is aware of a factor or two about win.
The 51-year-old, talking as a pundit on ITV, careworn that United might want to carry out higher in the event that they’re to make it previous Brighton within the semi-final at Wembley in April.
However he additionally recognised the significance, in a knockout recreation, of Simply Getting It Executed. He’ll be the primary to confess that Sir Alex Ferguson’s aspect weren’t at all times sensible. However once they weren’t, they invariably did sufficient to win matches.
Having ended their six-year look ahead to silverware with a routine 2-0 victory over Newcastle within the League Cup closing at Wembley that seemed straight out of the Keane and Ferguson glory days, Erik ten Hag’s aspect look unrecognisable to the aspect that completed with a document low Premier League factors tally final time period.
That was a significant step ahead for the membership, however the next weekend’s historic 7-0 defeat to an ailing Liverpool was a actuality examine that this challenge stays a piece in progress. Casemiro’s subsequent purple card and two dropped factors in opposition to Southampton have been a reminder there’s nonetheless work to do to complete within the high 4.
The blip seemed at risk of turning right into a wobble as this season’s shock bundle Fulham deservedly led 1-0 on the hour mark within the quarter-final at Previous Trafford. Within the absence of Casemiro, it was the guests’ Portuguese-speaking midfield powerhouse Joao Palhinha that dominated within the centre of the park.
“We have been clearly the perfect group on the pitch,” careworn Marco Silva in his post-match interview. Which may sound like bitter grapes after being denied a well-known cup victory, however he had some extent. Fulham have been good worth for his or her lead and didn’t look too troubled as United went in quest of an equaliser.
“Up till the purple card we have been CLEARLY the perfect group on the pitch!”
Marco Silva provides his trustworthy response to Fulham’s meltdown at Previous Trafford immediately… 😳
🎙️ @gabrielclarke05 pic.twitter.com/fcaURhBvwa
— ITV Soccer (@itvfootball) March 19, 2023
That was till United sprang into motion with a harmful break. Willian scrambled again to stay his physique in the way in which of Jadon Sancho’s goalbound shot.
It seemed as if the veteran Brazilian winger had pulled off an impressed defensive block, however replays quickly revealed that United’s appeals for handball weren’t spurious. It turned clear that VAR would intervene to offer United a penalty and cut back Fulham to 10 males.
Or 9, so incensed was Aleksandar Mitrovic that he accosted referee Chris Kavanagh and subsequently obtained the purple card that was simply proven to Willian. Surprisingly, this was the imposing Serbian striker’s first straight purple card at Fulham and first since 2016. He’s mellowed lately however the outdated purple mist descended right here.
9 males and not using a coach, as a result of Marco Silva additionally misplaced his head on the touchline and talked himself right into a dismissal.
Their frustration was comprehensible. They’d finished every part proper for over an hour. The superbly-executed gameplan, through which Mitrovic did his job by slamming residence the opener. After which in a single fell swoop, every part had been undone.
ABSOLUTE SCENES AT OLD TRAFFORD!! 😳
Tempers are flaring as Fulham go from 1-0 as much as conceding a penalty and happening to 9-men… 🤯#ITVFootball | @EmiratesFACup pic.twitter.com/6vWTYNgRGT
— ITV Soccer (@itvfootball) March 19, 2023
In the meantime, the hosts stored their head within the recreation, professionally caught to their job and wanted simply two minutes to attain one other previous the nine-men guests. From there, their development to the semis felt like an inevitability.
Bruno Fernandes’ second purpose, deep into harm time, added the gloss. It’s been 4 residence ties within the FA Cup this season and 4 3-1 wins. In addition they got here from behind within the final spherical, and within the spherical earlier than that made Andy Carroll lose his cool.
“We confirmed nice character. Each time this group comes out, they present the character and the dedication wanted,” Ten Hag informed the BBC.
“Fulham are a great group and it’s a must to be good to beat them.”
The win was United’s thirty second of the season. No aspect in Europe has extra. They continue to be on observe to play each doable recreation this season and will but finish 2022-23 with three items of silverware. Ten Hag’s aspect additionally look well-placed to attain their main goal of getting again into the Champions League.
That each one sounds just like the Manchester United we’ve come to know within the Premier League period.
However the true proof that they’re again is having the nous to get a win once they’re not at the perfect, all of the whereas breaking the brains of their opponents. Straight out of the Fergie period.
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