Jump directly to the content

Sponsored by

Paddy Power

ROY KEANE completely disagreed with Harry Maguire’s claim that Manchester United showed “great character” in their dramatic victory over Coventry City.

His old team the Red Devils narrowly avoided disaster as they beat the Sky Blues on penalties to set-up a showdown with Man City in the FA Cup Final.

Harry Maguire hailed the 'character' shown by Man Utd against Coventry
4
Harry Maguire hailed the 'character' shown by Man Utd against CoventryCredit: EPA
Roy Keane slammed Man Utd's performance and completely disagreed with him
4
Roy Keane slammed Man Utd's performance and completely disagreed with himCredit: ITV
Maguire headed home United's second goal of the game at Wembley
4
Maguire headed home United's second goal of the game at WembleyCredit: Getty
Thr defender and his team-mates needed penalties to secure their place in the final
4
Thr defender and his team-mates needed penalties to secure their place in the finalCredit: Getty

But that was only after the Championship side fought back from 3-0 down to take it to extra-time and then having a late strike ruled out for offside to deny them a famous triumph.

United looked to be cruising towards a repeat of last year’s final thanks to goals from Scott McTominay, Harry Maguire and Bruno Fernandes.

Ellis Simms pulled one back on 71 minutes before Callum O’Hare set-up a nervy finish with eleven left.

Haji Wright then kept his nerve in stoppage time to score from the spot to send it to extra time.

READ MORE ON MAN UTD

Victor Torp’s 120th-minute strike was disallowed due to an offside in the build-up as United survived by the skin of their teeth - meaning that the tie would need to be settled by penalties.

Casemiro stepped up first but had his effort saved before Wright slotted home to give Coventry the lead.

Diogo Dalot made no mistake and then Torp smashed it into the top corner, then Christian Eriksen drilled it in low with United’s third - but this time Andre Onana dived to his right to keep out O’Hare’s effort.

Captain Fernandes sent the goalie the wrong way to put United ahead, then Ben Sheaf fired way over the crossbar.

CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS

That left Rasmus Hojlund with the job of stepping up to win it, and the Dane sent the goalie the opposite way as he raced off in celebration - although Antony infuriated others with his reaction to the win.

Following the game, goalscorer Maguire said: “We found a way.

Erik ten Hag admits Manchester United 'got away with it' in shootout win over Coventry

“We started the game really well and then conceded a sloppy goal. We were unfortunate to concede the second goal.

“I think the penalty was so hard but all credit to Coventry. They made it tough for us in the second half of extra time.

“It sums up our season, we had great control and played well for 60 minutes but then we conceded out of nothing. 

“Then I don’t know, it seems like the world wanted Coventry to go on and do it. We showed great character to stick with it and it was important to win the shootout.”

Victory his never been less glorious than this for Man Utd, says Dave Kidd

By Dave Kidd

PROBABLY only Erik ten Hag’s Manchester United could book a place in an FA Cup final while hanging their heads in shame.

Minutes after the final whistle of this ridiculous semi-final, Coventry’s magnificent underdogs were performing a lap of honour to their cheering fans — while most of United’s players and supporters had disappeared.

Then the Wembley PA system started blaring out ‘Glory, Glory Man United!’ and everybody started laughing out loud.

Victory has never been less glorious.

As a party-starter it, fell flat. As a stab at dark humour, it was sensational.

Even by United’s standards of low farce this was ridiculous.

Now even the unlikely scenario of a final victory over City is unlikely to save Ten Hag’s job.

After all, Louis van Gaal was axed days after United last won this competition in 2016 and his side were never as bad as this current lot.

Read Dave Kidd’s thoughts on the game in full here.

Or click here to check out all of Dave Kidd’s articles.

But the non-nonsense Keane was having none of that afterwards as he spoke to his fellow pundits in the ITV studio.

The Irishman said: “We're having the same conversation every week with Man United, you don't know what you're going to get. 

All they do is play in moments. They concede so many chances.

“You always say you need a bit of luck. Maguire said they showed good character, I don't see character in this group of players.

“I'm looking at the goalkeeper, wasting time. Just get on with the game. Show some courage. 

“Huge problems for Man United going forward but they got the job done.”

Keane also said: “Maguire got interviewed at the end there and said they showed great character, I don’t see character in this group of players, I really don’t.

“It’s getting to the stage that I’m almost disliking them. I see a group with bad habits, they were almost frightened to win the game.

READ MORE SUN STORIES

“There’s huge problems for Manchester United going forward but they got the job done.

“In extra-time Coventry looked like a Premier League team and Manchester United looked like a Championship side.”


Bruno Fernandes should be embarrassed by this… United fans were, says Neil Custis

By Neil Custis

BRUNO FERNANDES ended the FA Cup semi-final a man bemused as to what he had been a part of.

No doubt knowing it would be he would have to try and explain it all again.

Rarely have a team slunk away from this stadium with a feeling of embarrassment having just reach an FA Cup Final.

The next time Fernandes turns up at the home of football he wants to be heading up those metal steps and picking up silverware.

Nothing less will do for the captain of Manchester United.

But he knows they have not got a hope of gaining revenge on this cross town rivals Manchester City if this is what they are going to deliver.

This was an embarrassment, plain and simple, for Ten Hag, for Fernandes, for every player in red.

After the skipper finished his TV interview he turned around to the end that had housed the United fans to clap them in thanks.

There was barely anyone left.

Read Neil Custis' opinion in full here.

Or click here to read all of Neil's article.

Topics