So the semi final hoodoo continues but we certainly made made a better effort in this one. It was a good game with both teams having plenty of attempts. We had an early goal disallowed for offside and City had 2 disallowed for the same reason all 3 correctly. Fernandes had a great shot saved and City hit the post. The first 20 minutes of the first half were mainly dominated by City and we had to work hard to keep them out. But we got into the game and it all turned round with us dominating and City playing on the break. The first half ended goalless but both teams had looked dangerous. 5 minutes into the second half City got a free kick on the left hand side. It was a good delivery that went past everyone until it more or less hit Stones at the far post and made it 0-1. lt was the last thing we needed knowing Citys ability to keep the ball. Saying that we definitely had a go and had numerous opportunities but didnt make many real chances. A header apiece for Martial and Maguire a couple of shots from Fernandes were about the best we had. But we did not let City relax and the match was never comfortable for them. We brought Greenwood on for McTominay but didnt really get a chance to press forward as City got their second goal when a Wan Bissaka clearance went straight to Fernandinho and he shot straight into the bottom corner. That was it as City more or less played out the last 10 minutes without giving us a chance to get the ball. It was one of those games that could have gone either way but the 2 big moments both went Citys way and they won the game. Henderson did nothing wrong and had no blame for either goal Lindelöf and Maguire were steady enough though Maguire maybe could have done better with the first goal. Shaw did ok against a difficult opponent and got forward throughout Wan Bissaka also did ok but again could have made a better header for the second goal. Fred and McTominay had a really difficult job in midfield and didnt do too badly. Rashford is not as effective on the right and though he was always trying never had a real attempt. Martial for some reason just couldnt get past his man and kept losing the ball though on another night the breaks could have gone his way. Fernandes was as ever involved but it seemed as if all his passes and flicks went wrong for some reason, he usually makes mistakes but also makes telling contributions but tonight nothing seemed to work. Pogba tried hard and played well at times but was clearly frustrated the way everything kept breaking down. So thats the first trophy of the season out of our hands again at the semi final stage lets hope we can rectify this aberration as soon as possible. I would make Maguire my MOTM as he played well throughout apart from the first goal. Next match is Watford at home in the FA Cup on Saturday night. Come on United! 🇾🇪
