Manchester United have reached the promised land of the FA Cup Final once again, where they’ll face bitter rivals Manchester City. But how did they get there? Here is their road to the Wembley.
Erik ten Hag has reached the FA Cup Final for a second successive season but will be desperate for a different outcome as opposed to last year.
The same opposition awaits them. Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City are looking to do a Premier League and cup double, which the Red Devils will have a hankering to stop.
With doubts over his future, Ten Hag needs his Manchester United squad to turn up. Anything but a loss means this trophyless season will be regarded as a failure.
It’s safe to say that the FA Cup campaign for the 23/24 season has been all but an easy ride for United. There have been extreme highs and severe lows as the Red Devils have marched on to Wembley.
So, with this – put on your scarlet ribbon and strap in. Here is how Manchester United got to the FA Cup Final 2024.
Manchester United’s Road to the FA Cup Final
Wigan Athletic 0 – 2 Manchester United: Round 3, January 8th 2024
Manchester United started 2024 and their FA Cup campaign with off a bang as they comfortably got past Wigan Athletic at the DW Stadium.
Goals from Portuguese duo Diogo Dalot and Bruno Fernandes in front of what was a majority United-filled crowd despite being an away tie ensured that the Red Devils advanced to Round Four.
This was about as simple as it got for Ten Hag’s men.
Newport County 2 – 4 Manchester United: Round 4, January 28th 2024
It was almost unheard of for United to have two away ties in a row, but they were treated to just that when they drew League Two opposition in Newport County.
This was a huge occasion for the Exiles, which ultimately looked to have been spoiled when Fernandes and Kobbie Mainoo scored early.
However, Graham Coughlan’s side had other ideas. Goals from Bryn Morris and a Will Evans wonder strike remarkably got them back in it.
Luckily, Manchester United’s blushes were saved by two Erik ten Hag signings – Antony and Rasmus Hojlund, which meant United could advance to the Round of 16.
Nottingham Forest 0 – 1 Manchester United: Round of 16, February 28th 2024
United were then faced with Premier League opposition in their harder test yet, a trip to the City Ground on a bitterly cold Wednesday night in February to play Nottingham Forest.
Pathetic fallacy was in full force, where for ninety minutes a cold, cagey affair played out – that was until Casemiro popped up in the 89th minute.
A Fernandes free-kick was floated in which the Brazilian flung himself at, to see his diving header nestle past Matt Turner. Manchester United are Quarter-final bound.
Manchester United 4 – 3 Liverpool: Quarter-Final, March 17th 2024
When Manchester United drew Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool side in the quarter-final, many Red Devils fans thought their cup run was over. How wrong they were. An absolute FA Cup classic played out in the quarter-finals.
Scott McTominay got United in front at Old Trafford, which looked to be sending United into the break in the ascendency. That was until two sloppy goals were conceded, with Alexis MacAllister and Mohamed Salah on target.
After a drab 42 minutes of second-half football, misery quickly turned to delight as Antony’s right-footed, yes, right-footed shot trickled past Allison into the bottom corner. Extra time loomed.
Liverpool chimed first. Harvey Elliot’s deflected long-range strike left Andre Onana stranded, but then Marcus Rashford replied after missing a plethora of chances.
It looked destined for penalties, that was until an unlikely hero cropped up – Amad Diallo. And well, the rest is history. Off to Wembley we go.
Manchester United 3 – 3 Coventry City (United win on penalties): Semi-Final, April 21st 2024
United struck lucky in the FA Cup semi-final, being given Coventry City as their opponents as opposed to Chelsea or Manchester City who were on the other side of the draw.
It was almost too easy for Ten Hag’s side. Goals from McTominay, Harry Maguire and Fernandes put United 3-0 up by the 71st minute and all but ensured their ticket to the final. Or so we thought.
A simply ludicrous Coventry fightback ensued, with goals from Ellis Simms, Callum O’Hare and a 95th-minute Haji Wright penalty getting them level. Insane.
Extra time played out, and then the worst happened. Coventry went ahead in the 121st, which thankfully for all United fans, VAR chalked out.
The Red Devils then held their nerve in the shootout, with experience prevailing, which means a Manchester Derby awaits on Saturday. It’s the biggest day of the season. Come on United.