Manchester United beat Coventry City on penalties (4-2) after a 3-3 draw at Wembley to book an FA Cup final place this afternoon. Here are our player ratings for the game-
(A score of 6 is around average)
Andre Onana 6- Didn’t have to do much in the first half and couldn’t have done much to stop any goal. Saved well from a volley outside the box to keep United in the lead.
Diogo Dalot 7- Erik ten Hag’s decision to not displace him from his favourite right side paid off as he created the first and was just an overall nuisance on the overlap.
Casemiro 3- Started a bit shaky with the usual panic slide tackles but recovered as United grew into the game. However, his casual penalty in the shootout sums up his recent form.
Harry Maguire 6- A collector’s item with the goal off a corner for him and as Coventry ascended, held the fort well enough.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka 2- His discomfort with playing on the left is clear as he stops attacks in their tracks due to his tendency to move inside and take the ball on his right. Conceded a penalty while trying to defend with his arms waving around.
Kobbie Mainoo 6- Calm and composed in possession. Unlucky to be taken off.
Scott McTominay 5- Scored to set United on their way before United did United things. Goes missing in possession when the opposition starts to take control.
Alejandro Garnacho 6- Wasted a good chance but full of energy and enterprise. Came off looking unhappy and frustrated with the sub.
Bruno Fernandes 8- Scored via deflection and assisted Maguire’s goal from the corner. Had a good time with the ball against obliging opposition and almost scored in extra time.
Rashford 2- Fluffed a good chance near the beginning and repeatedly ran into cul de sacs while dribbling instead of releasing the ball clinically. Involvement means nothing if it never leads to anything substantial. Came off after feeling his hamstring but should never have been on the pitch by then.
Rasmus Hojlund 3- Missed a clear-cut chance and couldn’t get into the game. His purple patch of form at the start of the year is firmly behind him now. Dispatched United’s winning penalty in the shootout at least as a marker of his mentality.
Substitutes:
Antony 5- Predictable on the ball, willing defender off it. Nothing new.
Christian Eriksen 5- Enjoyed having the ball initially but as soon as it got frantic, his gone legs started becoming a problem.
Amad 6- Showed more thrust and purpose than Rashford did which is admittedly not a high bar to clear. Baffling that he is firmly the last choice for the manager.
Omari Forson 6- Gave purpose to the side with some good attacking moves but was never going to be a game-changer.
Manager Erik ten Hag 1- You can only beat what’s in front of you but United couldn’t even do that. If it happens once every few games, it is down to the players. If it happens every time, structure, organisation and philosophy come under scrutiny. His subs invited pressure, killed the game, and just asked to be scored upon. Coventry did. Dead man walking.
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