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Manchester United came from a goal down to beat nine-man Fulham and reach the FA Cup semi-finals with a controversial victory at Old Trafford.
Marco Silva’s side looked on course for only their second last-four appearance since they lost to West Ham in the 1975 final when their world collapsed around a handball incident 15 minutes from time.
Jadon Sancho seemed to be shooting an equaliser into an empty net, only for Willian to charge across and clear.
Referee Chris Kavanagh initially gave a corner, but VAR advised the official to check the pitchside monitor, with Willian protesting and manager Marco Silva furious.
Silva was red carded before Kavanagh could even reach a decision. Once he did, Willian was dismissed as well. Then Aleksander Mitrovic, who had put Fulham in front, grabbed the referee as he angrily remonstrated and became the third visitor to be sent off.
Once order was restored, Bruno Fernandes tucked home the penalty.
In the space of two minutes, Fulham had lost two men, their manager and the lead.
Two minutes later, Marcel Sabitzer turned home Luke Shaw’s cross to make it 2-1 to United before Fernandes added an injury-time third to knock Fulham out of the FA Cup.
United will now play Brighton in the semi-final at Wembley.
The sight of Silva pacing up and down the tunnel in a state of fury did not suggest it is a defeat he will take well.
More to follow.
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Manchester United
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Squad number17Player nameFred -
Squad number21Player nameAntony
Fulham
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Squad number17Player nameLeno
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Squad number2Player nameTete
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Squad number31Player nameDiop
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Squad number13Player nameReam
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Squad number33Player nameRobinson
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Squad number6Player nameReed
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Squad number26Player nameJoão Palhinha
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Squad number14Player nameDe Cordova-Reid
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Squad number18Player nameAndreas Pereira
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Squad number20Player nameWillian
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Squad number9Player nameMitrovic
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Squad number10Player nameCairney
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Squad number11Player nameSolomon
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Squad number12Player nameCédric Soares
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Squad number21Player nameJames
Line-ups
Man Utd
Formation 4-2-3-1
- 1de Gea
- 29Wan-Bissaka
- 5MaguireBooked at 21mins
- 6Li MartÃnez
- 23Shaw
- 39McTominaySubstituted forAntonyat 58′minutes
- 15Sabitzer
- 25Sancho
- 8Bruno Fernandes
- 10RashfordSubstituted forFredat 83′minutes
- 27Weghorst
Substitutes
- 2Lindelöf
- 12Malacia
- 17Fred
- 20Dalot
- 21Antony
- 28Pellistri
- 31Butland
- 36Elanga
- 73Mainoo
Fulham
Formation 4-2-3-1
- 17Leno
- 2TeteSubstituted forCédric Soaresat 89′minutes
- 31Diop
- 13Ream
- 33RobinsonBooked at 67mins
- 6ReedSubstituted forJamesat 89′minutes
- 26João Palhinha
- 14De Cordova-ReidSubstituted forSolomonat 89′minutes
- 18PereiraBooked at 18minsSubstituted forCairneyat 90′minutes
- 20WillianBooked at 72mins
- 9MitrovicBooked at 72mins
Substitutes
- 1Rodák
- 4Tosin
- 8Wilson
- 10Cairney
- 11Solomon
- 12Cédric Soares
- 21James
- 28Lukic
- 30Alves Morais
- Referee:
- Chris Kavanagh
- Attendance:
- 73,511
Live Text
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Match ends, Manchester United 3, Fulham 1.
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Second Half ends, Manchester United 3, Fulham 1.
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Goal! Manchester United 3, Fulham 1. Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United) right footed shot from the centre of the box to the bottom left corner. Assisted by Fred.
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Attempt missed. Wout Weghorst (Manchester United) right footed shot from the centre of the box is close, but misses to the right following a corner.
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Corner, Manchester United. Conceded by Tom Cairney.
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Attempt blocked. Marcel Sabitzer (Manchester United) right footed shot from the right side of the six yard box is blocked. Assisted by Bruno Fernandes with a cross.
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Corner, Manchester United. Conceded by Tim Ream.
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Attempt blocked. Aaron Wan-Bissaka (Manchester United) right footed shot from the right side of the box is blocked. Assisted by Fred.
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Substitution, Fulham. Tom Cairney replaces Andreas Pereira.
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Substitution, Fulham. Dan James replaces Harrison Reed.
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Substitution, Fulham. Manor Solomon replaces Bobby De Cordova-Reid.
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Substitution, Fulham. Cédric Soares replaces Kenny Tete.
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Attempt saved. Antony (Manchester United) left footed shot from outside the box is saved in the top right corner. Assisted by Jadon Sancho.
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Attempt saved. Marcel Sabitzer (Manchester United) right footed shot from the right side of the box is saved in the bottom right corner. Assisted by Antony.
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Substitution, Manchester United. Fred replaces Marcus Rashford.
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Attempt saved. Wout Weghorst (Manchester United) left footed shot from the left side of the box is saved in the bottom left corner. Assisted by Jadon Sancho.
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Bobby De Cordova-Reid (Fulham) wins a free kick on the right wing.
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Foul by Marcel Sabitzer (Manchester United).
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VAR Decision: Goal Manchester United – Manchester United 2-1 Fulham (Marcel Sabitzer).
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Goal! Manchester United 2, Fulham 1. Marcel Sabitzer (Manchester United) right footed shot from very close range to the centre of the goal. Assisted by Luke Shaw.Goal confirmed following VAR Review.
