Fernandes free-kick settles pulsating FA Cup tie

Bruno Fernandes fired Manchester United into the FA Cup fifth round as his 78th-minute free-kick earned his side a 3-2 win over Liverpool at Old Trafford.

Liverpool’s troubled continued at the home of the fierce rivals; they have now failed to progress beyond the fourth round in five of their six seasons under Jurgen Klopp and the Premier League champions have recorded one win in their last seven games in all competitions.

Mohamed Salah gave the visitors the perfect start with a sublime finish (18) but Mason Greenwood levelled eight minutes later following a sweeping move.

Marcus Rashford completed the turnaround with his fourth Old Trafford goal against Liverpool (48) but Salah restored parity after running onto Roberto Firmino’s pass (58).

The stage was set for Fernandes, who settled the tie 12 minutes after his introduction with a venomous free-kick from the edge of the box to set up a fifth-round tie at home to West Ham next month.

Fernandes steals headlines in thriller

United entered the tie unbeaten in their last seven home games against Liverpool in all competitions since a 3-0 loss in March 2014. Last weekend’s stalemate failed to inspire, but Liverpool came to Old Trafford dressed in hyper turquoise, and this fourth-round tie lived up to the hype.

The clash got off to an intense, end-to-end start, with Liverpool finding the breakthrough in the 18th minute. Firmino threaded a pass between Luke Shaw and Victor Lindelof to Salah, who was played onside by the latter and coolly lifted the ball over Dean Henderson.

United have won seven of nine league games having conceded the first goal, collecting 21 points from losing positions, and they made it 1-1 in the 26th minute. Greenwood had already had two half chances, failing to trouble Alisson, but his luck would change.

Paul Pogba broke up a Liverpool attack and Donny van de Beek sent a quick pass as the hosts raced forwards, with Rashford darting down the left before cutting back and sending a fine a diagonal ball over to Greenwood on the right. The teenager matched the play with his unerring finish, firing right-footed across Alisson.

With 19 FA Cup titles between them, it was clear both managers were desperate to reach round five, and the first half drew to a close with Pogba and Scott McTominay heading over presentable chances from two Shaw corners.

Sky Sports’ Nick Wright said: “Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has clearly instructed his side to target the right-hand side of Liverpool’s defence. Trent Alexander-Arnold and Rhys Williams look extremely vulnerable up against Rashford and Shaw.”

Shaw created three times as many chances as any other United player in the opening period but Jurgen Klopp stuck with his same starting XI for the restart – and three minutes later, his side were behind.

Shaw began the move as his throw-in was collected in midfield by Edinson Cavani, who rode the challenge of Thiago and found Greenwood. Rhys Williams failed to clear Greenwood’s first time ball, which allowed Rashford to race through and coolly turn past Alisson.

Liverpool reacted well to falling behind, however, and James Milner was left holding his head in his hands after scooping over from close range.

But the 35-year-old midfielder soon helped Liverpool level as they capitalised on uncharacteristically sloppy Cavani play, with Milner leaving Firmino’s cross for Salah to sweep home.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer identified that Liverpool were in the ascendancy and duly turned to Fernandes on his bench. Twelve minutes later, Fabinho gave United a chance with the clock winding down after fouling Cavani on the edge of the box.

The Brazil international avoided a second yellow card but Fernandes would carry out the ultimate punishment. The Portugal midfielder pulled rank and buried his 28th goal for United to provide a classic FA Cup tie with the match-winning strike it deserved.

Man of the match – Marcus Rashford

Rashford endured a frustrating afternoon at Anfield last weekend but he so often enjoys his duels with Liverpool on home soil.

He received a 5 in Sky Sports’ player ratings seven days ago having been deployed, by quite some distance, as United’s furthest-forward player, showing a “baffling indiscipline with the offside rule”.

But here, back out in his preferred role on the left, he mesmerised in tandem with Shaw. Trent Alexander-Arnold had a torrid time containing him.

What the managers said

Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer: To follow….

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp: “It’s not what we wanted so it’s always frustrating. If we wanted to win today, we had to be at the absolute top of our game but we made a lot of steps in the right direction. We started the game well, and then we made decisive mistakes. We had not enough protection for United’s first goal, but it’s good that my team likes to go forward and score goals.

“In the end, they scored three and we scored two but we can take positives out of this game. We know exactly what we need to work on, but we have to make steps. We made big steps tonight, which for the moment is OK.

“We scored twice and we had other situations where we created well against a deep defending block. We made obvious mistakes around the goals, and with the third, your colleagues tell me it wasn’t a foul but I didn’t see it. I was told that it might not have been a foul for the free-kick but that’s how it is. If you want to change something you have to work hard and that’s what we’ll do.

“There’s no doubt about my trust in the players, but we need to be critical on ourselves. As a group, we’re really together. If we have problems, we have to solve it together. Nobody is thinking about the very good things of the past few years. We’re in this moment, and all we can is try to win football games. Tonight, I didn’t see any confidence problems but obviously if we don’t score for a while it’s not good for confidence. It’s about how you deal with it.”

Liverpool’s wait for Old Trafford win goes on – Opta stats

• Manchester United have eliminated Liverpool from the FA Cup proper for the 10th time; in the competition’s history, only Liverpool themselves (12 v Everton) have knocked a particular side out more times (including finals).
• Liverpool have won just one of their last 15 matches at Old Trafford in all competitions (D4 L10), and are winless in their last eight at the ground (D4 L4).
• Manchester United have won each of their last eight home games in the FA Cup; only from 1908 to 1912 have they had a better winning run on home soil in the competition (9 games).
• Liverpool are the first reigning Premier League champion to be eliminated from the FA Cup as early as the fourth round since Manchester City in 2014-15.
• Liverpool have lost back-to-back games in all competitions for the first time since March 2020.

FA Cup 2020/21 – key dates and draw

The FA Cup schedule has been confirmed, with the final set to take place at Wembley on Saturday May 15.

There will be no replays this season to help ease fixture congestion.

• Fifth round: Wednesday February 10
• Quarter-finals: Saturday March 20
• Semi-finals: Saturday April 17
• Final: Saturday May 15

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One lucky winner won GBP250,000 for free last week. Could you be next? Play for free, entries by 3:00pm Saturday.