Manchester United secured a place in the FA Cup semi-finals with a 3-1 win over nine-man Fulham. The game started with both teams playing well, but it was Fulham who took the lead on the hour mark when Aleksander Mitrovic scored from close range. However, Manchester United quickly responded with Bruno Fernandes scoring from the penalty spot to level the score.
The game then turned on its head in the final 20 minutes when Willian blocked Jadon Sancho’s effort on the line with his arm. Willian was sent off, and a penalty was given to Manchester United. Mitrovic was also dismissed for touching the referee in a fit of rage, and Fulham boss Marco Silva was shown a red card. Fernandes converted the spot kick to level things up, and two minutes later, Marcel Sabitzer completed the turnaround for Manchester United. Fernandes added a late third to seal the victory.
David de Gea was on top form for Manchester United, making several crucial saves that kept his team in the game. Aaron Wan-Bissaka got the nod ahead of Dalot at right-back but couldn’t keep out Mitrovic’s opener despite his valiant effort. Harry Maguire received a booking for dragging down Mitrovic and will now miss the semi-final. Lisandro Martinez had a heart in mouth moment when he tackled Mitrovic in the box but made up for it with a brilliant late sliding tackle on James to snuff out a Fulham attack.
Luke Shaw was lucky to get away with an early push on Mitrovic and lost the Serb for Fulham’s goal. However, he made up for it by supplying the low cross from the left for Sabitzer to put United ahead. Scott McTominay came in for the suspended Casemiro but couldn’t have quite the same impact. Marcel Sabitzer showed his quality with a flick beyond the visitors’ keeper to win it for United. Jadon Sancho won the penalty as he went round Leno and forced handball by Willian.
Bruno Fernandes kept his cool to send Leno the wrong way from the spot to pull United level and lashed home a late third. Marcus Rashford had a rare occasion with no goals for the England man, and Wout Weghorst endured a difficult afternoon at Old Trafford. Antony came on for McTominay on 58 mins and livened up the home side, while Fred was brought on to shore things up and teed up the third goal for Fernandes.
In conclusion, Manchester United deserved their victory over Fulham, who were reduced to nine men in a remarkable few minutes. David de Gea was on top form, and Bruno Fernandes scored two crucial goals to secure his team’s place in the FA Cup semi-finals. Manchester United will now face either Chelsea or Sheffield United in the next round of the competition.