FA Cup: Manchester United book summit clash with Manchester City

LONDON [UK]: Manchester United defeated Brighton 7-6 on penalties in the FA Cup semifinal following a scoreless draw at Wembley on Sunday due to Solly March’s missed penalty, booking a summit clash with arch-rivals Manchester City on June 3.

After a tense 120 minutes in which either team would have believed they would have been deserving of a rematch against Manchester City on June 3, the Brighton winger was left inconsolable with the solitary miss of 14 spot kicks. Alexis Mac Allister forced David De Gea to make an early fingertip save from a free-kick as Brighton exploded out of the gates, but United improved as the half went on and Bruno Fernandes and Anthony Martial both squandered good opportunities in stoppage time.

In the second period, the Seagulls came within millimetres of scoring for the first time, but Julio Enciso, the hero against Chelsea the previous weekend, was again denied by a spectacular De Gea save before Danny Welbeck nodded over from a corner. Late in the game, Erik ten Hag’s team had a chance to win it, but substitute Jadon Sancho’s curling shot just missed the goal frame.

In extra time, Marcus Rashford appeared to have the game won when he flashed a shot past the post with only Robert Sanchez to beat. However, Kaoru Mitoma’s heavy touch prevented him from scoring what appeared to be a certain last-minute winner.

After each of the first 12 penalties in the ensuing shootout were scored, March’s miss allowed Victor Lindelof to score the winning spot-kick and set United up for a shot at a second trophy this season. (ANI)

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