Amad for it! United beat bitter rivals in thrilling Cup classic

A RED, white and black tricolour surfer flag bearing a red devil clutching a pitchfork was unfurled by the Stretford End.

-  SAMUEL LUCKHURST

United may yet clutch silverware this season.

This was the most enthralling contest between British football's greatest clubs in decades, suitably decided by a winning goal in the 120th minute. Amad, the matchwinner, was then sent off.

As walk-offs go, this can never be bettered. The Ivory Coast international's previous United goal against AC Milan was three years ago without an audience present amid the Covid-19 lockdown. Here, he had more than 60,000 United fans itching to embrace him.

Staff could not resist but hack-slan him as he sought forgiveness for his expulsion.

A successful season United is still achievable with a second successive FA Cup semi-final. They are only the third domestic side to inflict defeat on Liverpool all season. Jurgen Klopp's long goodbye will not be decorated with a quadruple or a domestic treble.

That United recovered from 2-1 and 3-2 down to secure this most uproarious of victories has to be a corner turned in the Ten Hag era. They have lacked resilience for much of the campaign and conceded in quick succession for the umpteenth time again.

Yet they monstered the self-titled mentality monsters. United supporters were clambering on top of each other, on the seats, the railings, anything, to celebrate the heart-stopping decider after two draining hours. Amad's expulsion for a second yellow card - missed by almost everyone in the ground amid the delirium - can be forgiven.

Marcus Rashford should have spared us of all of this. He was played in one-on-one from Christian Eriksen's pass. Only he put the ball past the post.