Home Sports PLAYER RATINGS: Alejandro Garnacho is the star of the show as Man United leave it late to knock Liverpool out of the FA Cup… and three stars score just 5/10 in seven-goal thriller

PLAYER RATINGS: Alejandro Garnacho is the star of the show as Man United leave it late to knock Liverpool out of the FA Cup… and three stars score just 5/10 in seven-goal thriller

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Manchester United produce epic FA Cup victory to eliminate Liverpool at packed Old Trafford

Manchester United produced an epic FA Cup romp to simultaneously reach the semi-finals and end Liverpool’s quadruple dream.

In a topsy-turvy match at Old Trafford, it was United who managed to keep their heads above water with substitute Amad Diallo scoring a famous winner.

The youngster would be sent off for a second bookable offence, but he didn’t care after scoring the goal to send United to Wembley.

Liverpool had looked in control for the most part and led 2-1. But their inability to take their chances cost them dearly.

NATHAN SALT from Mail Sport was there to lead both teams…

Manchester United produce epic FA Cup victory to eliminate Liverpool at packed Old Trafford

Manchester United produce epic FA Cup victory to eliminate Liverpool at packed Old Trafford

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UNITED MAN (4-2-3-1)

André Onana – 7.5

Made a number of key saves and couldn’t do much with any of the three goals. Deflections from the boots of Mainoo and Eriksen surprised him for the first and third goals.

Aaron Wan-Bissaka – 6

Started well in an unfamiliar left-back role, but Liverpool quickly managed to overload on that side. Was among the first to be replaced.

Raphaël Varane – 6

Has been United’s best defender in recent weeks, but looked ragged at times here. He didn’t cover himself in glory when he lost Salah for the second goal.

Raphael Varane struggled before coming out in what was a kamikaze match for both sides

Raphael Varane struggled before coming out in what was a kamikaze match for both sides

Raphael Varane struggled before coming out in what was a kamikaze match for both sides

Victor Lindelof – 5.5

Was back in his more comfortable centre-back role, but found himself overloaded time and time again with Liverpool having so much space to counter. There was some finishing waste to thank for Liverpool not putting this to bed.

Diogo Dalot – 6

With Luis Diaz and Andrew Robertson alongside him, he was effectively no longer an entity going forward. I never looked entirely comfortable in either match.

Kobbie Mainoo – 6.5

Was United’s best player in the first half, showing excellent footwork as Ten Hag’s side took a deserved lead. The problem is United have no control in midfield and that leaves players like Mainoo far too isolated.

Scott McTominay – 7.5

His scoring season continues as he scores his 10th of the season for club and country. They really should have doubled United’s lead when they were in the lead. Got the assist for Rashford’s goal to make it 3-3.

Scott McTominay finished with a goal and an assist in what was an effective display from the Scot.

Scott McTominay finished with a goal and an assist in what was an effective display from the Scot.

Scott McTominay finished with a goal and an assist in what was an effective display from the Scot.

Marcus Rashford – 7

Third time lucky for Rashford after missing two great chances to get on the scoresheet. It’s been a difficult season but he never lost his confidence here and was rewarded.

Bruno Fernandes – 6

We had to be stronger before Salah’s goal at 2-1 when he wanted a foul from Gomez. Was booked for dissent and was lucky not to see red when he clipped Szoboszlai while on a yellow. I finished the match in central defense.

Alexandro Garnacho – 8.5

He carries a lot of responsibility as United’s main creative threat and it was his intelligent movement that led to the opener. A constant threat and played a key role in setting up Antony’s strike. Best player in a United shirt.

Rasmus Hojlund – 5

Lots of excitement about his return to the team, but it was a rusty display from a player who has shown he can offer much more.

Rasmus Hojlund made a return to the side but looked rusty after a few weeks out

Rasmus Hojlund made a return to the side but looked rusty after a few weeks out

Rasmus Hojlund made a return to the side but looked rusty after a few weeks out

Director: Erik ten Hag – 7.5

It was an opportunity to save this miserable season and United once again played into the opponent’s hands by remaining ultra exposed in midfield. It is the responsibility of the manager.

SUBSCRIBERS

Antoine (for Rasmus Hojlund, 71 years old) – 7

Harry Maguire (for Aaron Wan-Bissaka, 71) – 7.5

Christian Eriksen (for Kobbie Mainoo, 80) – 5.5

Amad Diallo (for Raphaël Varane, 85 years old) – 7

Mason mount (for Victor Lindelof, 105) – 6

LIVERPOOL (4-3-3)

Caoimhin Kelleher – 7

Made a brilliant save to deny Rashford inside the first five minutes and was an imposing presence when United were ahead early on.

Andy Robertson – 6.5

I should have scored 0-0 but in the end it didn’t matter. The threat that he would go ahead canceled out anything Dalot could offer in the other direction.

Virgil van Dijk – 6.5

He urged his teammates to calm down from the first moments and it worked. They showed great leadership in turning the situation around and stood out from the game.

Virgil van Dijk performed well early on, but soon struggled to stem United's late onslaught.

Virgil van Dijk performed well early on, but soon struggled to stem United's late onslaught.

Virgil van Dijk performed well early on, but soon struggled to stem United’s late onslaught.

Jarell Quansah – 7

He did a great job of penetrating the midfield in the build-up to the equalizer. He didn’t look overwhelmed, even when United got off to a hurried start. A gem of talent.

Joe Gomez – 6

Off for Garnacho’s clever inside run for United’s opener and looked to be the weakest link in Liverpool’s back four. Reserve.

Alexis MacAllister – 6

Was booked for a cynical attack on McTominay, but quickly found his rhythm. Has now scored in third consecutive games.

Wataru Endo-6.5

Goes unnoticed during matches, but he plays a crucial role in how Liverpool stifle teams in midfield. Does a lot of the hard work so those before him can shine.

Wataru Endo does much of the dirty work but Liverpool have been unable to capitalize when on top

Wataru Endo does much of the dirty work but Liverpool have been unable to capitalize when on top

Wataru Endo does much of the dirty work but Liverpool have been unable to capitalize when on top

Dominik Szoboszlai – 5

Clean and tidy from the Hungarian, but he was at times guilty of overthinking when to deliver in the final third.

Luis Diaz – 6

Plenty of running but just lacked quality when in the final third. He works hard to get back to his own goal… which isn’t always the case for United’s attackers.

Darwin Nuñez – 5

He shot at Lindelof and gave the Swede something to think about, even though the chances were limited for him to get on the scoresheet.

Mohamed Salah – 7

Scored what he thought was the decisive goal to knock Manchester United out of the FA Cup. He looked a little perplexed to have been eliminated with the match on the line.

Mohamed Salah thought he had scored the decisive goal before being surprisingly sent off

Mohamed Salah thought he had scored the decisive goal before being surprisingly sent off

Mohamed Salah thought he had scored the decisive goal before being surprisingly sent off

Director: Jurgen Klopp – 6.5

He was tearing his hair out that his players didn’t put that to bed when they broke at will and the quadruple dream is now officially over. Will be furious at the arrogance of some of his players when they should have put the game to bed.

SUBS:

Harvey Elliott (for Dominik Szoboszlai, 72) – 7

Conor Bradley (for Andy Robertson, 76) – 5

Cody Gakpo (for Mohamed Salah, 77 years old) – 5

Kostas Tsimikas (for Joe Gomez, 101) – 5

Bobby Clark (for Luis Diaz, 114) – 6

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