Man Utd 4-3 Liverpool: Player ratings as Reds quadruple dream ends in seven-goal FA Cup thriller
Eternal rivals Manchester United and Liverpool squared off for a place in this season’s FA Cup semi-final.
Erik ten Hag’s side has been enjoying an inconsistent season while their visitors chase an unprecedented quadruple.
Scott McTominay gave United a dream start before the visitors struck twice in the last first-half seconds. Jurgen Klopp’s team were seemingly cruising towards a Wembley date, but there was late drama when Antony came off the bench to equalise before Marcus Rashford saw a chance go begging in the final seconds of regulation time.
Another late addition, Harvey Elliott punished Rashford’s wastefulness as Liverpool in extra time before United’s number ten sensationally levelled proceedings. Moments later, with the game seemingly heading towards penalty, Amad Diallo made sure of a famous win.
AN INCREDIBLE END TO ONE OF THE MOST INCREDIBLE DERBY GAMES YOU WILL HAVE EVER SEEN.
Step forward, Sir Amad Diallo ♥️@ManUtd have won it in extra-time with seconds to go!!!#EmiratesFACup pic.twitter.com/Avyx1vE857
— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) March 17, 2024
Success for United means they can prevent another trophyless season, while Liverpool must continue to pursue two pieces of silverware to go with their already-won League Cup.
Here’s how the players rated at Old Trafford:
Man Utd
André Onana – 7 – A first-half shutout was on the cards before five crazy minutes when he picked the ball out of his goal twice.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka – 7 – Started on United’s left flank and did an excellent job dovetailing with Rashford as they caused Liverpool’s backline problems.
Raphaël Varane – 6 – Used every sinew of his experience, but that wasn’t enough as United found themselves 2-1 down before he came off.
Victor Lindelöf – 5.5 – The much-maligned Swedish centre-back put in another shift and saw an extra-time effort go over Kelleher’s goal.
Diogo Dalot – 6 – Enjoyed a fascinating battle with Díaz, which often meant he seldom entered Liverpool’s final third.
Scott McTominay – 7.5 – The man for the big moments. Casemiro pulled out 24 hours before the game to ensure his starting place, which he capitalised on by putting the hosts ahead from close range.
Kobbie Mainoo – 6 – United’s teenage midfielder plays the game beyond his years. An unlucky deflection, though, resulted in Mac Allister restoring parity.
Alejandro Garnacho – 6 – Forced the usually composed Kelleher into palming his shot into McTominay’s vicinity, leading to United’s opener.
Bruno Fernandes – 6.5 – He could have easily picked up two yellow cards but ended up with one—another frustrating outing for United’s skipper, who ended up playing centre-back in a Spartan effort.
Marcus Rashford – 8 – Had the game’s first real opportunity but was superbly denied by Kelleher in Liverpool’s goal. He had the last chance when his effort went brutally wide by inches and made amends to register United’s second equaliser deep into extra time.
Rasmus Højlund – 5 – A welcome return for the Danish marksman whose opportunities were few and far between.
Substitutes:
Antony (for Højlund 71) – 6.5 – Brought on to bring some guile and energy, which he did with a stunning late equaliser.
Harry Maguire (for Wan-Bissaka 71) – 6 – Another experienced defender added to United’s backline, coped well in the limited time he was on.
Christian Eriksen (for Mainoo 80) – N/A – A late sub.
Amad Diallo (for Varane 85) – 6.5 – He came, scored the winner, and was sent off.
Mason Mount (for Lindelöf 105) – N/A – A late sub.
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Liverpool
Caoimhín Kelleher – 7 – Continues to impress in Alisson’s absence, though frustrated not to keep a clean sheet.
Joe Gomez – 6.5 – Grew into the game as it went along. He was caught ball-watching in the build-up to Man Utd’s opener, but several endeavouring runs pinned Ten Hag’s side back, allowing Liverpool supremacy.
Jarell Quansah – 7 – Another start for the 21-year-old who didn’t allow such an occasion to faze him. An inspired run led his team back into the game.
Virgil van Dijk – 7 – Undisputedly, the premier centre-back is playing in English football today. The colossal from Breda was supreme before a late collapse.
Andy Robertson – 6.5 – Slowly getting back to his marauding best.
Alexis Mac Allister – 7.5 – The first into John Brooks’ book after cynically bringing McTominay down, made it up for striking Liverpool’s equaliser on the stroke of half-time.
Wataru Endō – 7 – Although his goal was disallowed for offside, the Japanese international has effortlessly followed in Fabinho’s footsteps in this Reds midfield.
Dominik Szoboszlai – 6 – As usual, he didn’t need a second invitation to join Liverpool’s attack and was proactive in the box-to-box role that he’s come to own.
Mohamed Salah – 7.5 – He came spectacularly close to breaking the deadlock before putting Liverpool ahead before half-time.
Darwin Núñez – 7 – Came alive five minutes before half-time. He assisted Mac Allister’s leveller before Onana forced his shot into Salah’s path.
Luis Díaz – 7.5 – High-pressing, mobile, and energetic, this was yet another typical performance from the Colombian forward.
Substitutes:
Harvey Elliott (for Szoboszlai 72) – 6 – Restored the Reds lead in the first half of extra-time. Eriksen deflected his long-range effort past Onana.
Conor Bradley (for Robertson 77) – N/A – A late sub.
Cody Gakpo (for Salah 77) – N/A – A late sub.
Kostas Tsimikas (for Gomez 101) – N/A – A late sub.
Bobby Clark (for Diaz 113) – N/A – A late sub.
