AARON WAN-BISSAKA was the star of the show while Anthony Martial offered nothing as Manchester United beat Brighton in the FA Cup semi-final on penalties.
After a tense 90 minutes, the clash headed into extra-time with nothing to separate them.
Marcus Rashford came close for the Red Devils while Solly March did for the Seagulls, but neither team were able to find a breakthrough as it went to a shootout.
Alexis Mac Allister scored first for Brighton, Pascal Gross followed suit, Deniz Undav notched the third, Pervis Estupinan calmly slotted the fourth and captain Lewis Dunk made it five from five.
Casemiro rolled home United’s opening kick, Diogo Dalot repeated the trick, Jadon Sancho rifled in the third, Rashford scored the fourth and Marcel Sabitzer completed a perfect five for United to send it to sudden death.
Adam Webster was first up for Brighton and sent David de Gea the wrong way and Wout Weghorst did the same for Erik ten Hag’s men.
March then skied the seventh for Brighton – leaving Victor Lindelof to step forward and book United’s place at Wembley against neighbours Man Utd.
This is how Sun Sport’s Neil Custis rated each player for the Red Devils:
DAVID DE GEA – 8
Had an absolute nightmare in Seville as United crashed out of the Europa League but proved that when it comes to reaction saves alone he is still amongst the very best.
Top stop to deny Alex Mac Allister’s early curling free-kick, a fierce drive from Julio Encisco in the second which he tipped over and a low effort from Solly March towards the end of normal time.
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AARON WAN-BISSAKA – 9
Had a terrific battle tracking Kaoru Mitoma down the flank. He even kept his eyes on him when he was off the pitch waiting to come back on.
Produced tackle of the game when he wrapped his leg around him and got the ball right on the edge of the box in the first-half. Produced an attacking threat in the second.
VICTOR LINDELOF – 6
You can never fault his commitment when he is called upon due to injuries to others.
Tried to take on the role of organising the back four and made some important tackles and blocks before scoring the decisive penalty.
LUKE SHAW – 7
With Harry Maguire out suspended and with Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez sidelined with injury, Shaw was moved into a central role which he always adapts to well.
DIOGO DALOT – 6
Not been at his best of late but showed his adaptability filling in for Shaw on the left as Wan-Bissaka took up the role on the right.
Cost Shaw a booking though when he lost possession and his teammate had no option but to foul to stop a counter-attack.
CASEMIRO – 6
Could feel rightly aggrieved to be booked in the first-half given some of the tackles that did not get a yellow card.
It left him no doubt worrying throughout the rest of the game that he was just one mistimed tackle away from a third red card this season and seemed to go into his shell.
BRUNO FERNANDES – 6
You often realise a player’s worth when he is not on the pitch and that was definitely the case in Seville when he was suspended. Was everywhere in the first period and had a good chance well saved by Robert Sanchez, then when put through by Casemiro he fired wide of the far post.
Faded after the break as a foot injury he received in the first half started to slow him down.
ANTONY – 5
A quiet game for the Brazilian who had been playing much better of late.
Only threatened the goal once when he cut inside and his final shot was weak.
CHRISTIAN ERIKSEN – 6
Played further forward with Fernandes in what was a 4-1-4-1 formation with the two combining to good effect towards the end of the first period. Subbed early in the second-half.
MARCUS RASHFORD – 6
Not playing with the same confidence as before his recent injury which makes you wonder if he is fully over it.
Really needed the top scorer at his brilliant best last Thursday and here but he can’t be expected to carry the goalscoring load on his own. Popped up with a shot at the end of first half of extra time which was deflected and saved.
ANTHONY MARTIAL – 4
Offered absolutely nothing as United limped out of the Europa League last week and very little again here. Had a great chance right on half time when the ball fell to him with the Brighton goalkeeper off his line but chipped it way over the bar.
SUBS:
FRED (On for Eriksen 62) – 6
Back on the bench of late with the return of Eriksen from injury. But can still be relied upon to give the midfield some extra legs when it looks like they need it.
JADON SANCHO (Martial 85) – 6
Came on and immediately had a chance to be the hero but his shot took a deflection and went over the angle.
MARCEL SABITZER (Antony start of extra time) – 5
Got straight into the action and had a chance with a flick header that fell wide.
WOUT WEGHORST (Fernandes 101) – 6
Understandably dropped recently as he simply does not provide much of a threat and failed to read a good low Fred cross in extra-time.
TYRELL MALACIA (Wan-Bissaka 101) – 5
Came on to the left with Dalot switching flanks. Wan Bissaka had put a great shift in but Ten Hag felt he needed fresh legs.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
