From Dominance to Desperation: United’s Rollercoaster Semi-Final
Manchester United’s FA Cup semi-final against Coventry City was a microcosm of their turbulent season—flashes of brilliance overshadowed by defensive frailties and mental fragility. Despite racing to a 3-0 lead through goals from Scott McTominay, Harry Maguire, and Bruno Fernandes, the Red Devils imploded spectacularly, conceding three times in the final 19 minutes before barely surviving via penalties (4-2). Rasmus Højlund’s decisive spot-kick sealed their place in a record 22nd FA Cup final, but the performance raised more questions than answers for Erik ten Hag.
Tactical Breakdown: Where It Went Wrong for United
Defensive Chaos
With Lisandro Martínez and Raphaël Varane injured, Ten Hag deployed Casemiro as a makeshift center-back—a gamble that backfired. Coventry’s Ellis Simms exploited United’s disorganized backline, scoring the first (71’) before Callum O’Hare’s deflected strike (79’) and Haji Wright’s 95th-minute penalty completed the comeback.
Baji Live Insight:
- High Line Vulnerabilities: United’s defensive line lacked cohesion, with Diogo Dalot and Aaron Wan-Bissaka caught out of position repeatedly.
- Midfield Vacancy: Casemiro’s absence in midfield left gaps for Coventry’s counterattacks.
Mental Fragility
Roy Keane’s post-match critique on ITV was scathing: “This team is hard to like. They play in moments—no leadership, no character.” Coventry, a Championship side, outworked United in extra-time, hitting the woodwork twice and having a 121st-minute winner controversially ruled out for offside by VAR.
Key Moments That Defined the Match
- Collapse Catalyst: Simms’ goal ignited Coventry’s belief, exposing United’s inability to manage games under pressure.
- VAR Drama: Wright’s toenail-offside call spared Ten Hag’s blushes, but the penalty shootout (Onana’s saves, Sheaf’s miss) underscored United’s reliance on individual moments over systemic strength.
Coventry’s heartbreak: Ben Sheaf’s missed penalty proved decisive.
Ten Hag’s Dilemma: Progress or Regress?
While Ten Hag hailed reaching back-to-back finals as an “achievement,” the performance mirrored recurring issues:
- In-Game Management: Substitutions (Antony’s introduction) failed to stabilize the team.
- Set-Piece Woes: All three Coventry goals originated from defensive lapses.
Expert Take (Mark Thompson, Baji Live Tactical Analyst):
“United’s structure collapses under pressure. Ten Hag must address their psychological brittleness before the City rematch.”
Coventry’s Fairytale Fall Short but Inspirational
Mark Robins’ side, priced at 250/1 to draw at 3-0 down, embodied resilience. Their swashbuckling attack (23 shots, 8 on target) outshone United’s lethargy. Robins quipped: “Had Wright cut his toenail, we’d have won.”
Looking Ahead: The Manchester Derby Final
United will face City on May 25—a repeat of last year’s final. For Ten Hag, it’s a chance at redemption, but as Baji Live notes, their flaws (open midfield, defensive errors) align perfectly with Pep Guardiola’s ruthless machine.
Stat to Watch:
- United have conceded 3+ goals in 5 of their last 10 games.
- City have scored 12 goals in their last 3 FA Cup matches.
Final Thought
United’s win was a “relief, not a triumph” (Keane). For Baji Live readers, the question remains: Can Ten Hag fix this team—or is this another false dawn?
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