Aiming to deny United a record 31st FA Cup semi-final appearance, mere weeks after the home side lifted the Carabao Cup, Fulham were hoping to make it into their first FA Cup semi-final since 2002. And the Cottagers got off to a fast start, threatening David de Gea’s goal inside three minutes, but the Spaniard superbly saved Issa Diop’s header. Far from that jolting United into action, the Red Devils’ sluggish ways continued throughout the first period, allowing Fulham to put 15 crosses into their penalty box, though the Londoners couldn’t make them count
With the Cottagers last victorious at Old Trafford back in October 2003 – in a match that featured the soon to be put-upon Fulham assistant manager Luis Boa Morte playing his part – this momentum couldn’t persist. United ended the half with their best passage of play yet, as Lisandro Martínez won a ball high up the pitch, but a lack of killer instinct from Wout Weghorst and Jadon Sancho resulted in the attack being comfortably dealt with to end a disappointing half.
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Erik ten Hag would have wanted a vast improvement from his players in the second 45, but once again Fulham were on the front foot, completely dominating the opening stages. De Gea was instantly called into action, first denying Antonee Robinson, then Willian but from the resulting corner, Fulham got the reward they deserved. Andreas Pereira’s cross was flicked onto the back post by Diop where Aleksandar Mitrović tapped in.
The tie was turned on its head with 20 minutes remaining as a counter attack from United saw Antony play Sancho through on goal, and after taking on Bernd Leno, the winger showed great composure before his goal bound effort was blocked on the line by Willian with his hand. That resulted in chaotic scenes in which three red cards were shown. Firstly Chris Kavanagh showed the Brazilian a red card for denying a goalscoring opportunity, but Mitrović was then also sent off for pushing the referee, before Marco Silva was also given his marching orders, leaving Luis Boa Morte to take charge of a thankless situation. After a lengthy delay, Bruno Fernandes stepped up and rolled the penalty in to restore parity and swung the momentum United’s way.
Fulham’s players had seemingly lost their heads and United immediately took full advantage, taking the lead a minute later. Luke Shaw drilled a ball into the box for Marcel Sabitzer to tap in, marking the Austrian’s first goal since joining the club. Nine-man Fulham understandably failed to regain their composure, and after Fernandes netted a third in the dying seconds with a clinical finish beyond Leno, United will meet Brighton & Hove Albion as a potential route to a hotly-anticipated all-Manchester FA Cup final.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Marcel Sabitzer (Manchester United)
