Casemiro wins it late for Man Utd
Manchester United have now reached the FA Cup quarterfinals a record 48 times, and the prospect of manager Erik ten Hag ending the season with silverware remains improbably alive after a 1-0 win at Nottingham Forest yesterday.
Casemiro’s close-range header a minute from the end spared United from further scrutiny after their dismal Premier League defeat by Fulham last weekend.
United will face Liverpool at home in the quarterfinal this month after the Premier League leaders followed their League Cup triumph at the weekend by beating Championship team Southampton 3-0, all the goals coming from teenagers.
United’s win was a scrappy, mediocre affair, but ten Hag does appear to have a propensity to pick up positive results when he most needs them.
While Marcus Rashford and Antony were both underwhelming, goalkeeper Andre Onana and Casemiro were arguably United’s best performers.
The last time these two clubs met in the FA Cup is a moment entrenched in United’s history.
In January 1990, Sir Alex Ferguson was fighting to save his job after a poor run of results, which led to the infamous banner “3 years of excuses and it’s still c---. Ta Ra Fergie”.
It proved a pivotal moment in Ferguson’s tenure, with Mark Robins stooping to head the winner and save his manager, initiating the magic carpet ride of memories that would follow.
What ten Hag would do for a result that changes the narrative of his own future.
Though Rashford endured a first-half of few opportunities and little support, United were carving out chances and Forest required goalkeeper Matt Turner to produce a fine save to keep out Scott McTominay’s header.
The game was far more open in the second half, with Forest appearing to be in the ascendancy early on. Onana saved low from Taiwo Awoniyi and Divock Origi before Rashford took a tumble in the penalty area after a collision with Murillo.
United were restricted to efforts from distance as time started to tick away. Rashford slashed wide of the upright before Casemiro lifted a shot over the bar from 25 yards.
Forest’s best chance fell four minutes from time to Morgan Gibbs-White. He was in space on the edge of the area after being found by Harry Toffolo but could only shoot straight at Onana. That miss proved costly, with the killer goal coming a minute from time.
Bruno Fernandes swung in a freekick from the left and Casemiro capitalised on a slip by Danilo to head the ball in at the near post. The goal went before a VAR check for offside but, after a lengthy delay, the cheers from the United end continued long after the final whistle.
Liverpool’s win over Southampton was not as comfortable as the scoreline suggested.
In other matches yesterday, Chelsea also scored a late winner to beat Leeds 3-2, while Wolves beat Brighton 1-0.