Manchester United 3-1 Fulham: Red Devils fight back for win, Aleksandar Mitrovic sent off for shoving referee

Two goals in three minutes, following two Fulham red cards turned the FA Cup quarter-final on its head, sending Manchester United through to the semi-finals.

United were second best for the first 71 minutes and were behind from Aleksandar Mitrovic’s close-range strike five minutes after the break, before the game changed.

Antony sent Jadon Sancho through on goal and he rounded Bernd Leno before having his shot blocked by Willian’s arm which, after VAR and a dismissal for manager Marco Silva, saw a penalty given and a red card for the Brazilian, before Mitrovic also was sent off for barging into referee Chris Kavanagh.

Bruno Fernandes scored the spot kick and then from the next attack Luke Shaw’s low cross was flicked in by Marcel Sabitzer.

Fulham chased the game but could not find a second, and Bruno capped the win with a late third, smashing home leaving Bernd Leno with no chance.

Talking Point – What were Fulham thinking?

Not with the sending offs of their manager and goalscorer, it was clear no rational thought was going on when their actions took place. The flaw worth analysing was how they allowed United to break in a virtual two-versus-one when they were a goal up at Old Trafford with under 20 minutes remaining. They were superb throughout the match and part of this was playing without fear and taking the game on, even after they went in front. But leaving only Antonee Robinson behind the ball when a corner was cleared made the job relatively easy for Antony on the right flank to set free Sancho whose effort Willian could not really be blamed for blocking with his arm – which led us to five minutes of total chaos.

Player of the Match – David De Gea (Manchester United)

It will receive less coverage because of the later drama but the Spanish goalkeeper made two sublime stops which ensured Fulham’s lead remained assailable. Firstly, just prior to the visitors’ goal, he stretched to his left tipping wide Willian’s curling effort which seemed destined for the left hand side corner of his goal. Then, even more spectacularly, after Mitrovic met Andreas Pereira’s set piece with a bullet header, he extended every sinew before clawing the ball away from danger.

PLAYER RATINGS

Manchester United: De Gea 8*, Wan-Bissaka 6, Maguire 5, Martinez 6, Shaw 7; McTominay 6, Sabitzer 6; Bruno Fernandes 7, Sancho 6, Rashford 6; Weghorst 6.

Subs: Anthony 8, Fred 7.

Fulham: Leno 7; Tete 7, Diop 7, Ream 6, Robinson 6; Joao Palhinha 7, Reed 7; Andreas Pereira 7, De Cordova-Reid 6, Willian 7; Mitrovic 6.

Subs: Cairney 6, James 6, Solomon 6, Soares 6.

MATCH HIGHLIGHTS

49′ GREAT EFFORT FROM WILLIAN! He curls a low shot from the edge of the area which was drifting just inside the far post but De Gea tips wide.

50′ GOAL FOR FULHAM! Mitrovic turns home at the far post after Diop clips the low corner on with his instep at the front post. A fully deserved lead.

66′ GREAT STOP FROM DE GEA! Mitrovic meets Pereira’s cross with a fantastic header but it is more than equalled by De Gea’s full-length save. Right out of the top drawer!

70′ WHAT A BLOCK OR WAS IT A HAND? Sancho went around the ‘keeper and then shot at goal but the Fulham man blocked the ball. It has hit his arm so VAR will surely give a penalty and send off the Brazilian.

71′ PENALTY FOR UNITED! The spot kick has been given!

72′ WILLIAN GETS A RED CARD! AND MITROVIC IS ALSO SENT OFF! He barged into the referee after seeing the red card for Willian. Marco Silva was also sent off.

75′ GOAL FOR UNITED! Fernandes equalised for United, sending the keeper the wrong way from the spot.

77′ GOAL FOR UNITED! Shaw crosses low for Sabitzer who backflicks home from close range.

90′ GOAL FOR UNITED! Fernandes smashes home after Fred squares the ball to him 20 yards from goal. The Portuguese star takes his time before powering a drive past Leno giving the goalkeeper no chance.

KEY STAT

• 31 – Manchester United have now the most semi-final appearances.
• 3 – Three times in their last eight matches, United have won after falling behind. Twice in the FA Cup, here and against West Ham and also against Barcelona.