Coventry City 3-3 Man United – FA Cup semi-final: Live score, team news and updates as Red Devils throw away THREE-goal lead at Wembley

Wow wow, wow, we are going to extra-time.

The Manchester United fans boo very loudly as the whistle goes for full-time, I bet they can’t believe what just happened.

I certainly can’t and neither can anybody else. 3-0 up, on their way to Wembley, and United have messed it up.

Don’t take anything away from Coventry, they didn’t give up and got their reward for that. One of the best comebacks in recent memory.

You just have to love the FA Cup!

Amad Diallo, the quarter-final hero, is on for Manchester United.

He nearly makes an instant impact feeding Bruno Fernandes in the area, but Brad Collins saves his effort from a narrow-angle.

Why didn’t Fernandes pull it back into the area?

Coventry aren’t done yet, they want more.

Ellis Simms tries to turn home from close range but can’t wrap his foot around it.

Manchester United are begging for the full-time whistle, they are all over the place.

Haji Wright sends the match to extra-time!

Pandemonium for Coventry, they have completed one of the greatest FA Cup comebacks I can remember.

Wright steps up and sends Andre Onana the wrong way, and the Coventry end goes bananas.

Manchester United have thrown it away.

Coventry have a penalty!!

Luis Binks gets on the end of a cross and the ball hits Aaron Wan-Bissaka’s arm.

After a VAR check, the spot-kick is given. What an opportunity for the Sky Blues to level it at the death and complete the comeback.

Wow, there is going to be six minutes of stoppage time.

Can the Sky Blues take advantage of all that time?

Rasmus Hojlund should put the game to bed, but he doesn’t.

It feels like he has so much time in the area, but he can’t get his shot away, and the tackle comes in.

He just doesn’t look himself at the moment.

I can’t quite believe what I am seeing.

I thought that was the moment, what a hit that was by Victor Torp, and what a save by Andre Onana.

The ball lands perfectly for Torp who unleashes a powerful volley which Onana reacts brilliantly to.

The United goalkeeper then gets a yellow card for time-wasting…

Nathan Salt, Mail Sport, at Wembley Stadium:

Coventry fans next to the press box are going nuts and I don’t blame them after that O’Hare goal. Football, my word.

Wembley is a cauldron of Coventry noise.

They looked down and out when Bruno Fernandes added United’s third, but they have sprung to life.

The Sky Blues fans believe, and you can’t blame them!

Oh my word…

What is happening? Callum O’Hare decides to go for goal from the edge of the area and it flies off Aaron Wan-Bissaka and over Andre Onana into the net.

Man United looked shellshocked, they are crumbling. Who could envisioned this 10 minutes ago?

It’s game on, anything could happen now!

This Coventry side isn’t giving up.

The Sky Blues have their tails up following the goal and so do their fans.

They are hunting down the ball with all the energy they can muster. If they can get another, maybe we will have a game.

United just need to calm Wembley down again.

They can roar properly this time!!!

Ellis Simms has struggled to get into the game but he has his moment and he takes it.

The former Manchester City man finishes with aplomb on the counter-attack to give Coventry some hope.

Surely they couldn’t…

Coventry fans roar as they think their side have a penalty.

They don’t, referee Rob Jones just pointed for a goal kick after Callum O’Hare had a tussle with Harry Maguire.

That made me chuckle a little.

That’s a half-chance for Coventry City.

Wembley is feeling a little flat right now, but Callum O’Hara very nearly got the Coventry fans cheering again.

The midfielder gets on to Milan van Ewijk’s cross, but he flicks his header wide of the mark.

That’s better from the Sky Blues.

Alejandro Garnacho does not look like a happy bunny!

The United winger sees his number up on the fourth officials’ board and his head immediately drops. Antony comes on for him.

Erik ten Hag will be hoping Garnacho does not have access to X/Twitter anytime soon…

Mark Robins has seen enough, he makes a triple-change.

Victor Torp, Luis Binks, and Fabio Tavares all come on for Joel Latibeaudiere, Liam Kitching, and Josh Eccles.

It’s all hands to the pump for Coventry now.

Nearly a fourth for Manchester United.

The ball lands at Harry Maguire’s feet six yards out but he fires it over the bar at full-stretch.

This could get messy if it stays like this, United are looking dangerous every time they go forward.

Nathan Salt, Mail Sport, at Wembley Stadium:

He’s got his critics has Bruno Fernandes but he’s United’s best player – and most important. I wrote recently how United’s success (and failures) can often be linked to his performances and he’s totally ran proceedings here. One of his ‘on’ days

That should be that!

Bruno Fernandes fires in at the near post following a counter-attack to end Coventry’s hopes of a second-ever FA Cup final.

Coventry had been going forward, which left them open to the counter, and United took full advantage.

On the replay, it shows Fernandes’ effort took a big deflection, but he still showed lovely feet to open up the space.

Another brilliant bit of defending by Aaron Wan-Bissaka.

Coventry have several players waiting in the area for a cross and when it comes in towards Milan van Ewijk, Wan Bissaka gets in front of him to clear. It was like a kung fu kick.

The Sky Blues are enjoying a spell of pressure now.

Coventry are going forward in numbers.

It felt like everything was a counter-attack in the first period, but the formation change has certainly made Coventry more attacking.

After a decent bit of play, Ben Sheaf fires an effort wide.

Now it’s Marcus Rashford’s turn to have a pop from distance, but after a short free-kick, he fires his effort straight into a cluster of players.

Not quite as good as Bruno Fernandes’ effort, but we have seen him score some absolute screamers, so can’t be too harsh.

Oooooooh, that was nearly exceptional from Bruno Fernandes.

The Manchester United captain decides to let fly from quite a distance and it flies inches wide of the post.

Brad Collins had no chance, he looked like a relieved man to see it go wide.

This is a huge 45 minutes for both sides.

Both sets of players come out to a half-empty stadium, although that will change very soon.

It seems Coventry have changed to a back four, let’s see how that works out for them.

Anyway, we are back underway.

It’s been a brilliant 45 minutes to be a Manchester United fan.

The ones in the ground are certainly enjoying themselves in the sun.

All the talk before the match was about the Coventry fans who were making incredible noise, but it feels like the red end of the ground has taken over.

It’s not quite party time yet though.

I wonder what is going on in the Coventry dressing room.

I’m sure Mark Robins will be slightly disappointed with his side’s performance so far, they look like they are struggling on the big stage.

It will be interesting to see if they set up the same in the second half, they will need to start going at United.

Can they pull this back? It’s hard to imagine they will…

That seemed like a fairly run-of-the-mill half of football for Manchester United.

They weren’t at their best in the first half, but two moments of quality have them 45 minutes from a second consecutive FA Cup final.

United fans enjoy, Coventry fans look away…

And just like that the whistle goes for half-time.

Mark Robins would have been fairly happy going into the break at 1-0, but that second from Harry Maguire will change his team talk.

Coventry struggled to get forward during that half while Manchester United showed their quality through Scott McTominay and Harry Maguire.

United have one foot in the final, it’s hard to see them relinquishing this lead.

You never know with United though.

What a header that is!

From the resulting corner, Harry Maguire rises highest to bullet a header into the top corner.

You knew as soon as he met that ball it was nestling into the back of the net.

That’s a huge blow for Coventry just before half-time, you just feel two goals may be too much for them to recover.

Big save from Brad Collins to deny Marcus Rashford!

The United forward unleashes a venomous effort from just inside the area, but Collins tips it over the bar at full stretch.

He can be proud of that one.

Ian Ladyman, Mail Sport Football Editor, at Wembley Stadium:

Diogo Dalot is, to my eyes, one of Manchester United’s most consistent performers and he has had a big influence here today. An assist and then a vital interception to prevent an equaliser. A goal then for Coventry after Josh Eccles burst through and suddenly Wembley would have felt like a different place.

Rasmus Hojlund has struggled to get into the game.

The big Dane is always there or thereabouts, but he hasn’t had a clear chance of yet.

He tries his luck from outside the box, but it’s blocked.

Coventry have their best chance of the game.

It seems they have woken up and realise Man United are there to get at. Josh Eccles curls in a lovely low cross but Diogo Dalot gets there before Ellis Simms who was waiting to turn it home.

For a moment I thought we were about to have a level game, the Sky Blues need to do that more.

There we go, the Coventry fans are back cheering again.

The Sky Blues fans see Steve Ogrizovic, the 1987 cup-winning goalkeeper, on the big screen and they erupt.

That was a lovely moment, he’s here commentating on the game and managed to break out a smile.

That’s much better from Coventry!

For the first time in what feels like forever, the Sky Blues put the Man United backline under pressure.

It ends with Jake Bidwell being taken out by the goalscorer Scott McTominay to win a free-kick.

However, the United wall does its job.

Ian Ladyman, Mail Sport Football Editor, at Wembley Stadium:

The Coventry game plan isn’t working so far and now they are behind they may have to change it up.

They are pretty much refusing to engage with United when the Premier League team have the ball in their own half and this is allowing Erik ten Hag’s team to build attack after attack with short or long passes.

I think this is the first time Manchester United’s fans have dominated the singing battle.

The goal seems to have knocked the Coventry support back a little bit, while the United fans are now enjoying themselves.

The goal was coming and Coventry have a lot of work to do now if they want a place in the final.

They just can’t get the ball at the moment.

Nathan Salt, Mail Sport, at Wembley Stadium:

Don’t think it’s harsh to say that Coventry have turned up here and shown United way too much respect. The fans beforehand fancied an upset but this has been a walk in the park for Andre Onana so far. He probably could have filed into this live blog!

What a lovely goal!

Just as I said they are looking more threatening, Man United take the lead at Wembley.

It’s an extremely well-worked move as they sweep around the Coventry backline with one-touch passing before Diogo Dalot slides the ball across the box for Scott McTominay to tap home.

The Scottish midfielder has been banging them in this season and that was a poachers finish.

Man United are starting to look a little more threatening now…

The Red Devils win a corner after some brilliant work by Rasmus Hojlund, but Alejandro Garnacho sends the resulting set-piece over the bar.

It just feels like they have more potency to them.

What a ball that is from Casemiro.

The stand-in centreback floats a delightful ball over the top and Marcus Rashford gets in behind, but after a heavy touch, he sends his effort wide.

He has to score that, the replay makes it look like an even worse miss than it looked at first.

Rashford tries to claim Ben Collins saved it, but he didn’t he just sent it miles wide.

The Coventry plan is working to perfection right now.

Manchester United can’t seem to break them down, and the Coventry players are loving it.

How long can they keep it up though? It’s not like United’s waves of attack have been too intense for them, in truth.

Ian Ladyman, Mail Sport Football Editor, at Wembley Stadium:

Marcus Rashford looks fully engaged as Man United dominate the ball and territory here.The United forward needs to produce a little bit more quality but he is seeing plenty of the ball down the left-hand side and his first thought always seems to be to go forward and create an opening.

Coventry for their part do look more than capable on the bright with Diogo Dalot having to tidy up well after a mistake from stand-in central defender Casemiro.

Nathan Salt, Mail Sport, at Wembley Stadium:

New technical director Jason Wilcox is among those in the royal box today and I wonder what he’s made of this start. United predictably enjoying more of the ball but it’s not like they’ve in any way troubled Bradley Collins in goal. Decision-making in the final third has been suspect so far.

The pattern of the game is there for all to see.

Manchester United will have nearly all the ball it seems, Coventry are content sitting deep and are putting bodies on the line.

however, the threat of the counter-attack is huge, one ball over the top and it looks like Coventry are in.

It nearly happened again there, but Diogo Dalot managed to get back in time in front of Haji Wright.

Brilliant tackle by Aaron Wan-Bissaka.

Coventry City make their first real foray up the pitch and Milan van Ewijk looks like he is in on the right-hand side, but as he does often, Wan-Bissaka slides in to put the ball out for a corner.

Nothing comes from it for the Sky Blues, but that proves they can cause United problems on the counter-attack.

That’s a big chance for Man United!

United have had a lot of the ball early on, as expected, and they lump it forward. Alejandro Garnacho gets in behind but completely misses the ball.

It may have been a touch chance but he had to at least get a connection on the ball. If he did, we may have had our first goal.

But, he didn’t.

Coventry fans have not stopped singing, and they get to cheer for the first time in the match.

Kobbie Mainoo sets Manchester United on the attack. but they can’t break down the Coventry backline.

Ben Sheaf, the Coventry captain, then comes away with the ball and wins a free-kick, which brings a huge roar.

It is deafening inside Wembley, what an atmosphere!

Can Coventry upset the Manchester United apple cart, or will United meet Manchester City in the final once again?

The whistle goes, we are underway!

Wembley is absolutely bouncing, mainly because of the Coventry fans.

The teams are getting ready in the tunnel, and there are smiles on the Coventry players’ faces, it’s a huge day for them.

They now walk into the pitch bathed in glorious sunshine, what a beautiful day it is, you could definitely tan in this weather!

Ian Ladyman, Mail Sport Football Editor, at Wembley Stadium:

Man United manager Erik ten Hag makes an awful lot of his team’s injuries and it doesn’t wash. However, you do only have to look at the United bench today to realise that they are down on numbers.

If I am honest, there are some names on there that I don’t recognise, and that speaks volumes. Ten Hag’s first XI here is still good enough to win the game comfortably but I will be fascinated to see if United can actually dominate and control a game of football for the first time in a long time. This is opposition from the Championship after all…

This is what both teams are playing for. The FA Cup.

Manchester United came so close to getting their hands on it last season but were narrowly beaten by rival Manchester City in the final.

If they were to win again today, that’s who they would be meeting on Saturday 25 May, after the Citizens bagged a late win over Chelsea in yesterday’s semi-final.

Will it be sky blues vs sky blue, or will we be able to recycle last year’s matchday programmes?

The Coventry fans are really making the most out of their day, it’s great to see!

It’s a sea of blue within Wembley at the moment and the noise they are making throughout the warm-ups is impressive – they’re very loud.

Will they be waving their flags in delight come 5.30pm?

Nathan Salt, Mail Sport, at Wembley Stadium:

You can barely hear the Manchester United team being read out over the PA as Coventry fans drown it out with a chorus of boos. Super stuff. Love a bit of needle

How big will today be in terms of Erik ten Hag’s future at Manchester United?

Questions are being asked of Erik ten Hag, United have been having a torrid time this season.

This is their last chance to win a trophy this season, and if they manage that it will be interesting to see if Ten Hag stays at the club.

If they lose today though, it’s hard to see him in the dugout next campaign.

What a sight this is.

This is arguably the biggest match in Coventry’s history since they won the competition 37 years ago.

No matter what happens, I’m sure all these fans are having the time of their lives today.

We all love a trip to Wembley!

What a journey Coventry City have been on.

The fact the Sky Blues are at Wembley today is a testament to the management of Mark Robins, and their owners.

If you told their fans six years ago that they would be in an FA Cup semi-final within the next decade, they would have laughed in your face. Well, here they are.

The Sky Blues have been down to League Two and faced numerous Stadium troubles – it’s been a tumultuous couple of decades.

However, now they have the chance to repeat what the club did back in 1987 and win the competition.

This is only the second time they have gotten to this stage, and they don’t want to waste it!

What a day today could be for Ellis Simms.

The 23-year-old starts up top for Coventry today and is looking to knock out the club he has seen as rivals for most of his life.

Chris Wheeler, Mail Sport, spoke to Simms about his journey and what today means in an exclusive interview.

It’s a brilliant read, I must say.

See for yourself, click below:

Mark Robins, Coventry City manager, speaking to ITV:

This is a big day as it’s only the second time the club’s been here in a semi-final. We’re playing against world-class players, you know the significant threats that they pose.

We’ve had some dark times. We beat Oxford in the Checkatrade Trophy. That was a significant one. The new ownership has given us fresh energy.

In theory, you can go at them but we’ve got to make sure we’re still in the game. I’m hoping they have an off day. If you get caught up in it you could be in trouble. If you remain calm we’ve got players who can hurt them.

Manchester United’s problems at the back simply won’t stop.

It seems like a new defender is injured every week, and that doesn’t change today as Willy Kambwala is out.

Casemiro is being trusted to line up alongside Harry Maguire – United’s only fit centre-back – which is a huge boost for Coventry.

There is no doubting Casemiro’s ability as the anchor in midfield, he has been one of the world’s best for years, but even his exploits in the midfield aren’t quite what they used to be.

How will he cope at Wembley today?

Nathan Salt, Mail Sport, at Wembley Stadium:

Casemiro at centre-back… this is going to be interesting. It’s just the one change for United with the rest of the team as you’d expect. But it’s another different back four – I make it the 28th different combination – and it’s fair to question Casemiro’s athleticism. Corrr, Ellis Simms, and Haji Wright must be licking their lips.

Mark Robins makes two changes.

Callum O’Hare and Josh Eccles come into the side, replacing Victor Torp and Kasey Palmer.

Is this the side that can cause another upset?

Wow, Casemiro is set to start at the heart of the defence, Manchester United’s defensive troubles continue.

Willy Kambwala misses out through injury, hence why Casemiro starts at the back, so Scott McTominay comes into the midfield as the only change.

How are the nerves United fans?

Here they are.

Surely excitement is building for everybody, both sides have arrived at Wembley ready to do battle.

The Coventry players have had a look at the pitch and they certainly look happy to be there – lots of smiling being done.

The team news is just minutes away, who can we expect to see?

Mark Robins, Coventry City manager, on Saturday:

First and foremost, we’ve got to be right. We’ve lost three of our last four, it’s not brilliant form that’s for sure at this stage of the season.

People have been talking about, has there been one eye on this game? I doubt it, although you could be forgiven for thinking about the game before it’s played.

We know they are clearly favourites to win this game by a million miles, they are expected to win, it’s as simple as that.

What a journey Coventry have been on!

It’s safe to say their route to the semi-final has been exciting to follow. They swept aside Oxford United, Sheffield Wednesday, and Maidstone United before a midlands derby with Wolves in the quarter-final.

I remember exactly where I was for that match, I was sitting with a Coventry fan in their living room and I have never seen anybody celebrate a last-minute winner quite like it.

The Sky Blues dominated the Premier League side, but after they relinquished their 1-0 lead late on, they looked down and out =.

However, two stoppage-time strikes brought bedlam from the away end, and stunned Molineux. It was one of the wildest endings to a tie I have ever seen.

Now here they are, back at Wembley. Can they put the cat amongst the pigeons once again?

Nathan Salt, Mail Sport, at Wembley Stadium:

Plenty of optimistic Coventry fans to bump into down Wembley Way. Safe to say Man United don’t hold any fear factor for the Championship side – and in truth, they shouldn’t.

United have proven so hit and miss and with only one fit senior centre-back available in Harry Maguire, I bet Ellis Simms is licking his lips.

I think it’s fair to say that Manchester United have not been in the best of form recently.

United’s last win in all competitions actually came in the FA Cup, against Liverpool, and what a win that was.

On paper, Erik ten Hag’s side are huge favourites to progress to their second final in as many years, but football isn’t played on paper.

Coventry have endured a fabulous run in the competition, they are the highest scorers in the FA Cup proper this season.

Today is a massive day for the Sky Blues and their supporters, they won’t make life easy for United whatsoever.

It’s going to be an enthralling semi-final!

Ready for another one?

I love FA Cup semi-final weekend, it’s one of the best of the season. After getting to enjoy one fabulous affair, you get to enjoy it all over again a day later.

So, now we know one half of the FA Cup final, but who is going to meet holders Manchester City on Saturday 25 May?

Coventry fans never thought they’d be back so soon after they left Wembley 11 months ago following their playoff final defeat to Luton Town, but the Sky Blues stand between Manchester United and a replay of last year’s final.

The sun is intermittently coming out in London and Wembley is looking as stunning as ever, it’s a glorious day for it.

Let’s get this show on the road!