Manchester United fought back to beat Liverpool to earn a dramatic win in one of the greatest FA Cup ties in recent memory.
I’m still getting goosebumps thinking about the incredible scenes as Amad and Alejandro Garnacho combined to score Manchester United’s late winner.
You can only imagine how the players feel. The upcoming international break may be a little frustrating, but it does give everybody a little breather, and we can savour this incredible win.
Manchester United are now into the FA Cup semi-finals, set to face Coventry City at Wembley.
Bruno Fernandes pays tribute to Antony
Club captain Bruno Fernandes led by example in Manchester United’s win, but speaking post-match, all he wanted to do was talk about his teammates.
Fernandes was especially keen to point out the contribution of Antony, who like Fernandes, shifted into defence.
He wanted to praise the Brazilian’s versatility, because he felt the winger would not get the credit he deserves.
Fernandes told MUTV: “You can see Amad and Antony made a huge difference in the last 15 minutes.
“Probably no one’s going to talk about, but Antony made a great effort playing as a left back to help us, because Victor was completely over, he couldn’t run anymore, because gave it all for us.”
Antony was determined to seize his opportunity, benefitting from an extra half hour of game time after his goal forced extra time.
This was Antony’s first goal at Old Trafford this season, and just his second in total. It has been a really tough campaign for him, no longer a regular starter.
Antony a popular player with teammates
Bruno Fernandes’ comments underline the admiration Manchester United’s players have for Antony, keen to see him get back to his best.
Antony’s celebratory Instagram post was deluged with congratulatory comments, with Harry Maguire responding, ‘What a performance’, in tribute to his efforts.
The winger came on with Maguire amid a double substitution, with United trailing 2-1. It had the desired effect, with Liverpool’s dominance of the game disrupted by Erik ten Hag’s changes.
Antony will hopefully start playing with more freedom and confidence after his goal. To say we have not seen the best of him in 2023/24 would be a big understatement.
Speaking to Brazilian outlet Terra, he said: “It has been a period of a lot of learning. I try to learn from each criticism, understand where I can improve.
“I have been working silently to evolve and show my football on the field. I know my potential and I know why Manchester hired me. I want to repay all of this on the field.”
READ MORE: Join the conversation with the United in Focus Whatsapp group
Receive a digest of our best United content each week direct to your mailbox
