Erik ten Hag’s men squandered a three-goal lead as the Sky Blues fought back in dramatic fashion, with Ellis Simms, Callum O’Hare and Haji Wright all netting during the second half.

With extra-time unable to decide a winner it was to be a penalty shootout, with the Reds emerging victorious by 4-2 on spot-kicks, as Rasmus Hojlund slammed home the pivotal strike.

A dramatic cup encounter, involving six goals, a late VAR intervention and a superb atmosphere is hard to sum up, but here’s my best attempt as we prepare for yet another Wembley showcase date…

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Our road to the Wembley final began away from home in the North West, where the Reds defeated League One outfit Wigan Athletic 2-0 in the third round, thanks to a goal from Diogo Dalot and a penalty from Fernandes.

The latter was also on the scoresheet in round four, when Ten Hag’s men defeated fourth-tier side Newport County 4-2 in South Wales. Kobbie Mainoo, Antony and Rasmus Hojlund were all on target too, as United secured a passage to the last 16, despite being pegged back to 2-2.

A run of away ties continued in round five with a midweek trip to Nottingham Forest, where Casemiro’s 89th-minute winner set up what would become a memorable quarter-final bout with Liverpool at Old Trafford.

And that, of course, was a 4-3 win settled by Amad’s dramatic extra-time winner at the Stretford End, after McTominay, Antony and Marcus Rashford had all netted in a back-and-forth cup classic.

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DEALING WITH INJURIES

“One time against [Manchester] City last season, in the home game. That was the only time where we had a full squad where I can pick my team. In all the other games, always there was an injury aspect we have to deal with, and that is normal in football, but not as many as we have had.

“And I know when you have so many injuries as we have had, and in crucial key positions, you can’t deliver the results you want to bring and that is, yeah, okay, but this is my truth.

“Others can have different truths, but I can’t put energy in that.”

HOJLUND’S FORM

“He was in a fantastic run and then broke his rhythm and why? The question was why? I think there are also always many reasons why.

“For instance, he was in the moment when he was in that run and we had the moment where we had many players available. We could bring out a strong side. And after he returned, yeah, we have to make compromises and yeah, of course, that is what decreases the performance. And that has also an impact on everyone, so also on the striker.”

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Despite nine minutes of injury time being added on, that solitary strike was enough for the Premier League leaders to go through and line up potentially a second consecutive all-Manchester final on Saturday 25 May.

In his post-match interview, Silva said: “It’s going to be [a] tough final. Between Coventry and Manchester United, it’s going to be a very good game and we’re looking forward to the final.”

Guardiola made four changes from the team that lined up against Real, with top scorer Erling Haaland being a notable absentee from the matchday squad. He was replaced in attack by Julian Alvarez, while three of the back five were altered – deputy goalkeeper Stefan Ortega and defenders Nathan Ake and John Stones coming in for Ederson, Ruben Dias and Josko Gvardiol.

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The second half painted a much calmer picture. Despite the hosts controlling the possession for large parts of the half, the young Reds pressed well to ensure the ball remained in safer areas of the pitch.

It was Williams who came closest to re-establishing United’s lead in the 70th minute, when he pounced on his own rebounded effort and ventured further into the penalty area before striking against the inside of the post.

The shot had Gunter beat, but it hit the woodwork at an angle that saw the ball trickle agonisingly along the goal line before being cleared by the Spurs defence.

Both sides cancelled each other out throughout the half, a pattern that held until the referee’s final whistle, and the spoils were shared in this Premier League 2 clash.

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