Manchester United make late FA Cup comeback against 9-man Fulham

Manchester United left it late to secure a place in the FA Cup semifinals after falling behind to Fulham and struggling for the majority of the game. 

Fulham will feel aggrieved after one incident changed the complexion of the game and essentially ended their FA Cup run. 

Manchester United went behind early in the second half when Fulham forward Alexander Mitrovic turned home a corner after 50 minutes of play to put the Londoners in front. 

Manchester United had struggled to create chances for most of the match, but they got the best chance handed to them in the most controversial moment of the match. 

Fulham winger Willian was penalised for stopping Jadon Sancho’s goal-bound effort with his hand and was sent off for the professional foul. 

The penalty award and subsequent red card for Willian after a VAR review caused Fulham players and staff to lose their heads, and in the wrestling melee, Serbian striker Mitrovic, who had given Fulham the lead, was sent off, as was the Cottagers’ coach Marco Silva. 

Bruno Fernandes stepped up and scored from the spot, giving Manchester United an equaliser and signalling the turning point for the match. 

With nine men and no coach, Fulham collapsed and were soon behind as Marcel Sabitzer opened his Manchester City account with a tidy near-post finish to make it 2-1 to the Red Devils. 

Fulham tried to find a way to take the tie to a replay and even made four substitutions additional time to delay full time, but this backfired as they conceded a third. 

Deep into stoppage time, Bruno Fernandes took advantage of 9-man Fulham pouring bodies forward in search of an equaliser to score Manchester United’s third, and end the game as a contest. 

The 3-1 win means that Manchester United advance to the FA Cup semifinals where they will face Brighton while neighbours Manchester City face Sheffield United