FA Cup

LIAM GALLAGHER sent Alan Shearer an X-rated message in response to the Newcastle legend’s managerial advice to Pep Guardiola.Manchester City beat Chelsea 1-0 in the FA Cup semi-final thanks to a second-half goal from Bernardo Silva.Alan Shearer gave management advice to Pep Guardiola on rotating his squadCredit: GettyMan City fan and Oasis singer Liam Gallagher told Shearer to ‘F*** off’ in response to ShearerCredit: The Mega AgencyCredit: X / liamgallagherBut Guardiola was far from pleased after the match as his team had to play on the Saturday just days after their Champions League quarter-final defeat to Real Madrid. City had to play extra time before losing on penalties against the LaLiga giants on Wednesday night.And the furious Spaniard told Gary Linker his players needed more time to recover.He fumed: “Why we play today and not tomorrow, with one day off, when Coventry and United and Chelsea don’t play in the mid-week? Why?”READ MORE IN FOOTBALL”Why don’t you have one more day for the health of the players? “For me, as a manager, tell me how you prepare for this game against Chelsea in their best moment of the season? How? It’s impossible. There is no chance.”And Shearer then put to the City boss that he could have made more changes. He said: “You can change your squad around and play different players though. Most read in FA CupBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKER”You don’t have to play many players from the game on Wednesday and I know you made four changes today.”City fan and Oasis singer Gallagher went on to reply Shearer questioning Guardiola and tweeted: “F*** off Shearer you cop.”Fans spot Man Utd players are ‘too ashamed to celebrate’ as even Roy Keane claims they were ’embarrassed to win’Lineker asked Guardiola if he raised his concerns with the FA to which the 53-year-old added: “Gary, you think us demanding is going to change something? The only power I have is to say here.”It’s not going to change anything. I know it for many years.”City will now aim to retain the FA Cup title in the final against rivals Manchester United who scraped a win against Championship side Coventry in the semi-final. More

MANCHESTER UNITED fans think their players were too “ashamed” to celebrate after they stumbled into the FA Cup final.The Red Devils had to resort to penalties to get past Coventry City after blowing a 3-0 lead in the last 20 minutes at Wembley.Rasmus Hojlund booked Manchester United’s spot in the FA Cup final with the winning penaltyCredit: AlamyHe ran away to celebrate with the Man Utd fansCredit: ITV SPORTAs he turned back to his team-mates, only Christian Eriksen appeared to join him in celebrationCredit: ITV SPORTUnited looked comfortable for most of the clash, but saw three late Coventry goals from Ellis Simms, Callum O’Hare and Haji Wright eradicate their hard work.And it was almost curtains for the Erik ten Hag’s FA Cup efforts in extra-time when Victor Torp had his 121st minute winner chalked off by VAR after the tip of his toe was deemed to be offside.The penalty shootout gave Man Utd a chance to spare their own blushes – and that’s exactly what they managed to do when Rasmus Hojlund converted his spot kick to set up a Manchester derby FA Cup final.But fans of United are convinced the players were too embarrassed with the manner in which they had won to celebrate properly as they noticed only one star reeled away with Hojlund to celebrate his 12-yard decider.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThe Dane was certainly enthusiastic as he shared the moment with United’s travelling supporters, but video of the celebrations appeared to only show compatriot Christian Eriksen joining him in the euphoria.Other stars were more subdued in their happiness and fans online certainly noticed the unusual reaction.One wrote: “Why on earth has only Eriksen gone over to celebrate with Hojlund????”While another added: “Kinda sad that nobody ran over to Hojlund there.”Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSCoventry pulled off a miraculous second half comebackCredit: GettyThey were ultimately left heartbroken at their penalty defeatCredit: GettyA third commented: “United players too ashamed to celebrate 😭😭 Hojlund turned around and saw nobody behind him I’m finished.”And a fourth joked: “I was crying at that. 😭😭😭 He thought the whole team was coming to run to him and it was only Eriksen.”‘I’m in a rush,’ Sir Jim Ratcliffe says live on BBC after running London Marathon before Wembley dash to watch Man UtdFans weren’t the only ones who thought that Ten Hag and Co were stand-offish after booking a return to play under the iconic arch in May.Former Manchester United legend Roy Keane blasted the team on ITV Sport as he labelled them as “embarrassed” to win.The retired midfielder said: “I think from the United players and the supporters they weren’t really going over the top with the celebrations.”Because they know that they were quite lucky today. They had the game won at 3-0 and they are almost embarrassed to win in the end.”He went on to add: “Every time I see this United team I don’t like what I see.”They’re hard to like and they just play in moments.”We keep talking about leadership and characters – I don’t see any of that in this United group.”The team management when you’re 3-0 up… you don’t give a Championship team any sort of hope that they can get back in the game.”But that’s what they do, they give up chances, they give up goals. “We’ve seen it all season so I don’t know why we’re that surprised, but my goodness they rode their luck in the end.”Regardless of their celebrations and the manner in which they achieved the win, Manchester United will be playing in the FA Cup final this season.The Red Devils will face noisy neighbours City in a repeat of last year’s final as they look to paper over the cracks of another poor campaign with some silverware.Pressure continues to mount on Erik ten Hag at Old Trafford with minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his Ineos team still rumoured to be compiling a list of potential replacements for the Dutchman.READ MORE SUN STORIESFor now Ten Hag will have to re-shift his focus, and the attention of his team, to the Premier League.Man Utd host Sheffield United on Wednesday and can put the Blades to the sword by all-but consigning them back to the Championship with a win.Roy Keane has blasted Manchester United for their performance and claimed the team was ’embarrassed’ to winCredit: ITV SPORTPressure continues to mount on Erik ten Hag despite Manchester United making it to the FA Cup finalCredit: Alamy More

PROBABLY only Erik ten Hag’s Manchester United could manage to book a place in an FA Cup Final while hanging their heads in shame. But while United eventually confirmed a second consecutive all-Manchester final in this competition, the way they chucked away a three-goal lead against Championship Coventry was extraordinary even by their standards of low farce.Rasmus Hojlund secured Man Utd’s place in the FA Cup Final with the winning penaltyCredit: PABen Sheaf was left devastated after he skied the crucial Coventry penaltyCredit: GettyScott McTominay prodded home from close range to break the deadlockCredit: GettyUnited owners Avram Glazer and Sir Jim Ratcliffe celebrating after the penalty dramaCredit: AlamyAnd when Coventry’s Victor Torp netted in the 120th minute it looked like the most ridiculous comeback in Wembley history until VAR Thomas Bramall ruled it out for a marginal offside in the build-up. Yet United came from behind in a nerve-shredding penalty shoot-out as Coventry skipper Ben Sheaf blazed his effort horribly off-target to send the Red DEvils through.Mark Robins, who once saved Sir Alex Ferguson’s skin with a famous FA Cup goal, watched his Sky Blues roar back with three goals in the final 20 minutes – an Ellis Simms strike, a deflected Callum O’Hare effort and a controversial penalty converted by Haji Wright. United were roundly booed by their own supporters at the end of normal time, as Coventry’s delirious supporters partied like it was 1987, when their club won the Cup in a classic final against Tottenham.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLTrust United to make a drama out of a cakewalk.Ten Hag’s team have tossed away two-goal leads on several occasions this season but to be 3-0 up against second-tier opposition with 20 minutes to play and to lack the game-management to see it out was criminal. The only wonder was that Ten Hag’s assistant Steve McClaren didn’t put up an umbrella on the Wembley touchline in bone-dry weather, like the good old days of his England reign. First-half strikes from Scott McTominay and Harry Maguire and a Bruno Fernandes effort early in the second period had United in cruise control.Most read in FA CupBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERBut as soon as Ten Hag started making subs, United switched off and Coventry produced a stirring late fightback to inject some ridiculous drama into a semi-final weekend which had looked like falling completely flat. Still, despite their slapstick shoddiness, United did book a third domestic final appearance in four attempts under Ten Hag.’I don’t like what I see’ – Disgusted Roy Keane blasts Man Utd and says they ‘looked like the Championship team’The two Manchester clubs had never met in a major cup final until last year, when an Ilkay Gundogan double completed the second leg of Pep Guardiola’s Treble in a 2-1 victory over their crosstown rivals. United won the Carabao Cup last season and had booked their place in this semi-final with an epic victory over Liverpool in the previous round. So while United’s Premier League form has been shoddy this season, and their Champions League campaign was a shambles, the Cup has at least brought consolation. 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. Sir Jim Ratcliffe and a couple of Glazer brothers were here to witness a victory which was nowhere near as comfortable as it ought to have been. The Sky Blues fans made a hell of a racket on their big day out and Robins’ side responded in kind for the final quarter of the match to give United a major panic attack. With five centre-backs out injured, Ten Hag started Casemiro alongside Maguire in defence.But the Premier League ought to have scored at least a couple before they did open the scoring midway through the first half. First, Andre Onana’s long punt was headed down by Fernandes for Rasmus Hojlund, who got his feet in a tangle and took an air-shot. Then a long diagonal from Casemiro fed Marcus Rashford, who cut in from the left but meekly rolled his shot wide of the far post. But then Diogo Dalot, United’s player of the season, dashed down the right and delivered a dangerous low centre and McTominay made a darting run to meet it and poked home at the back stick. Coventry were offering very little, the gulf in class all too apparent for more than an hour. Robins’ side finally threatened the United goal in the 39th minute when Josh Eccles beat Aaron Wan-Bissaka down the right and crossed low towards Sims only for Dalot to make a goal-saving interception.But just before the break, United looked home and hosed. First Dalot cut back for Rashford whose rising shot was tipped over by Bradley Collins.Harry Maguire scored a towering headerCredit: GettyMaguire pumps his fist after doubling United’s leadCredit: ReutersBruno Fernandes made it 3-0 to the Red DevilsCredit: ReutersFernandes bagged his side’s third of the afternoonCredit: GettyEllis Simms got Coventry on the scoresheetCredit: PACallum O’Hare’s deflected effort made it 3-2Credit: PAAaron Wan-Bissaka was penalised for handballCredit: RexHaji Wright sent Andre Onana the wrong wayCredit: GettyFrom the resulting Fernandes corner, Maguire leapt higher than a clutch of Coventry defenders and headed past a static Collins. Straight after the interval, Fernandes curled a 20-yarder inches wide but it wasn’t long before the skipper got on the scoresheet. The third goal was a sweeping move which included a leaping dummy from ref Robert Jones before a Rashford cross was blocked and Fernandes wriggled free to beat Collins at his near post.Soon, Maguire stabbed over from close range but Callum O’Hare was narrowly off-target with a flying header which had shades of Keith Houchen’s 1987 final effort.United were beginning to switch off and as Coventry enjoyed their best spell of the match, they capped it with a goal which suddenly lit the fuse. Sub Fabio Tavares crossed to their near post where Simms drilled past Onana. The Sky Blue half of Wembley was re-energised and their team began to believe. There was an element of fortune about Coventry’s second as O’Hare let rip from distance and the ball struck the back of Wan-Bissaka, looping over a helpless Onana.Now it was getting seriously nervy for United as Torp’s powerful shot was pushed out by Onana – who was then booked for time-wasting. And then in the 93rd minute, it all got ridiculously sublime. A cross from Luis Binks struck Wan-Bissaka at close range when the United full-back appeared to be trying to move his arm out of the way.Casemiro saw his penalty saved first of all for Man UtdCredit: ReutersAndre Onana got United back in it when saving Callum O’Hare’s effortCredit: GettyBen Sheaf then skied his penalty to hand United the opportunity to win itCredit: GettyThat allowed Hojlund the chance to convert and win itCredit: AFPStill, Jones pointed to the spot and VAR Thomas Bramall upheld the harsh on-field decision.Wright stepped up and nervelessly sent Onana the wrong way.   Early in extra-time Fernandes hammered a shot against the crossbar.  But late on, Coventry started pulling United’s defence apart, most notably when Wright dragged a shot while clean through. Then Simms cracked an angled shot against the underside of the bar. Torp slotted home after a cut-back from Wright and thought he had scored one of the most famous goals in Wembley history.READ MORE SUN STORIESBut VAR Bramall spotted Wright offside by inches and ruled out the goal. Casemiro’s opening spot-kick was straight at Collins but O’Hare’s penalty was saved by Onana and Sheaf’s effort was a shocker before Hojlund stepped up to secure a hollow victory.Erik ten Hag faces more pressure and questions after their collapseCredit: Getty More

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.Erik ten Hag speaks to Bruno Fernandes at WembleyCredit: GettyBruno Fernandes celebrates scoring Man Utd’s third goal at WembleyCredit: GettyRarely 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.read more in footballThe blame game will once again start as to how a United team totally in control of proceedings can give their own fans ‘squeaky bum time’.That moment of nerves that football can give you like no other sport.They managed it here.Fernandes had controlled the affair and put United three up against Championship side Coventry.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSThen he and everyone else in red went to sleep.It is what they do.They simply cannot manage a game.The captain, for all his incredible qualities cannot even orchestrate getting this result over the line in normal time.Roy Keane once said he is ‘the opposite to what I want in a captain’.Man Utd’s top targets for the transfer windowUndoubtedly the United captain’s armband is something that can weight heavy on the arm.Not while Keane was wearing it and was surrounded by leaders and world class talent.No, it has been a lot tougher since the glory days and some who have worn it had not been up to it.Quite what it was doing on the arm of both Antonio Valencia and Ashley Young is anyone’s guess.Harry Magurie simply had to give it up because Erik ten Hag was not playing him.So it was handed to Bruno last summer.If United aren’t playing well the first finger pointing goes in the manager’s direction and then towards the captain.So things fall apart on the pitch because of Fernandes it seems.The problem is not just him.It is a group of player who simply cannot play a complete football match.They have not done it all season even in victory.This is where they need a captain grabbing players by the scruff of their neck when he can see a tide turning.The dark clouds of this experience will have followed United all the way home.The Sky Blues were the heroes have no doubt.Haji Wright celebrates scoring his team’s third goal from the penalty spot with Fabio TavaresCredit: GettyFernandes looked mildly embarrassed to be put before the cameras after a victory on penalties.One in which he participated and planted home United’s key fourth to put them.Watch him against Coventry for an hour and here was a man in totally control of the game and his surroundings.Always in space and available, constantly clapping and cajoling, just making sure a potential banana skin on the way to a second successive FA Cup Final was not slipped on.Slipped? They almost skidded all the way back down Wembley way.They were booed at full-time.Abandoned by a number of fans who left the ground unable to stomach extra-time.When Rasmus Hojlund hammered home the winning penalty it was the United fans who vacated the ground quickly.The Coventry fans stayed to hail their heroes.The song glory, glory man Utd rang out to add to the feeling of unease amongst all their fans.This was an embarrassment, plain and simple, for Ten Hag, For Fernandes, for every player in red.READ MORE SUN STORIESAfter Fernandes finished his interview he turned around to the end that had housed the United fans to clap them in thanks.There was barely anyone left. More

MANCHESTER UNITED’S blushes were spared as they narrowly avoided an FA Cup semi-final upset against Coventry City.The Red Devils looked to be cruising into next month’s final against rivals Manchester City after going 3-0 up.Man Utd narrowly avoided an FA Cup semi-final exit as they beat Coventry on penaltiesCredit: ReutersBut three late goals from Coventry, including one at the death, sent the game into extra time.The Championship side then thought they’d netted a 120th minute winner but it was cruelly disallowed by VAR for the narrowest of margins.And despite Casemiro missing their opening penalty, United went on to clinch victory in the shootout.But who was United’s best player at Wembley?READ MORE IN FOOTBALLAnd who had a game to forget?Here, SunSport’s Justin Allen delivers his Man United player ratings…ANDRE ONANA – 6Made a world-class save from one of the finest volleys you will ever see from Victor Torp.Apart from that, all he had to do was pick the ball out of the back of the net three times (four if you count the disallowed one) and had his bar rattled after being beaten by Simms in extra-time.Most read in FA CupBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERDIOGO DALOT – 7Made a brilliant sprint and tackle to stop Haji Wright racing through one-on-one with Onana and he provided a wonderful low cross for McTominay’s opener.Then superbly he managed to tackle Simms as he was set to score from just a couple of yards out.Bruno Fernandes made incredible Kobbie Mainoo prediction ‘two or three years ago’ before he burst on to scene at Man UtdHARRY MAGUIRE – 7Old Slab Head powered home a header from a corner for United’s second goal – only his third of the season.Alongside Casemiro the big centre-back was not having too many worries against Coventry until the second period of the second half. Almost scored a winner in extra-time but was denied by a great save from Bradley CollinsCASEMIRO – 6Played a peach of a killer pass to cut open the Coventry defence for Rashford to run on to, but the striker blazed his effort wide.Then forced a cracking save from Bradley Collins with a ferocious effort that looked destined for the top corner. Did lose Simms for Coventry’s goal though and missed in the shootout.Casemiro, playing as a centre-back, missed United’s first penaltyCredit: ReutersAARON WAN-BISSAKA – 5Was frustrating going forward at times. Being a right-footer on the left flank does tend to slow United down on that side.Didn’t pull up any trees going forward against a Championship side and then incredibly turned his back on a Callum O’Hare shot that took a deflection off him to beat Onana. Then he gave away a late penalty with a handball.SCOTT McTOMINAY – 7Broke the deadlock by getting on to the end of a lovely Dalot pass.His 10th goal of the season means only Rasmus Hojlund (13) and Bruno Fernandes (13) have netted more this season for Erik ten Hag’s men.He also became the first Scottish player to score for United at Wembley since Brian McClair did so against Chelsea THIRTY years ago!KOBBIE MAINOO – 5Didn’t seem to do a lot for United.Certainly did not dominate the midfield against a Championship side. Pretty lacklustre at time.Kobbie Mainoo had a game to forget in midfieldCredit: PAALEJANDRO GARNACHO – 6Fresh from having to apologise to Erik ten Hag for liking social media posts critical of his half-time substitution against Bournemouth, the 19-year-old was keen to make a good impression.Had an early effort charged down, then caused chaos with a low cross that was sliced away for a corner and then missed an effort on the stretch. BRUNO FERNANDES – 7A fine performance. Set one up and netted his 13th goal of the season with a deflected effort.Almost got Manchester United off and running with an outrageously good flick to set up Alejandro Garnacho and then played a clever corner to the youngster in space but he sliced it.Provided the corner for United’s second and went close with a superb curler before finally netting with a thumping effort. Rattled the bar in extra-time. He is the only player to have scored AND assisted 10 goals or more for four seasons in a row.Skipper Bruno Fernandes led by exampleCredit: GettyMARCUS RASHFORD – 5Started brightly. Showed plenty of purpose and fired wide when getting on the end of a superb Casemiro pass. He should have put it away.Had better days and will be annoyed he did not get on the scoresheet. Also he didn’t make any effort to break up a Coventry counter-attack on the edge of their box leading to the second goalRASMUS HOJLUND – 5Got bullied off the ball by Joel Latibeaudiere when looking to get an attack going. Didn’t get much supply and struggled to make much of an impression against lower-league opponents. Scored the winning penalty though.SUBSTITUTESRasmus Hojlund netted the winning penalty for UnitedCredit: GettyANTONY (for Garnacho, 66) 5ERIKSEN (for Mainoo, 72) 6READ MORE SUN STORIESDIALLO (for Rashford 90) 6FORSON (McTominay 103) 6 More