Brighton are in the midst of an excellent campaign that looks likely to see them secure their first-ever European football.
As for Manchester United, after their Europa League disappointment in midweek, they are looking to add a second trophy to their collection this season following a League Cup triumph earlier this year.
When all was said and done at Wembley, Manchester United booked their spot in the final.
It was a fairly even opening to the game with neither side having too much in terms of big chances.
Enciso had the first decent chance of the game as he hit a loose ball on the edge of the box, which went just wide.
The Seagulls then began to dominate possession and pin Manchester United back in their own half as the first 45 wore on.
This dominance saw Erik ten Hag opt to bring on Fred for Christian Eriksen. Antony then had Man United’s first chance of the second 45 but his weak right-footed effort went straight at Sanchez when he probably should have passed to Bruno Fernandes.
Manchester United grew into the second half after this change, whilst Brighton lost Welbeck to injury.
Neither side could break the deadlock in 90 minutes, though, so extra time was needed.
The match turned very scrappy in extra time and neither outfit looked like scoring. Rashford had a good chance 21 minutes into ET when he picked up a long ball and cut inside but his effort went wide.
In the end, the match had to be decided by penalties.
Brighton scored their first six but Solly March missed the seventh. Victor Lindelof stepped up to win it for United and did so.
📰 Table Of Contents
Player ratings
Brighton
- GK: Robert Sanchez (7.5)
- RB: Pascal Gross (7.5)
- CB: Lewis Dunk (7)
- CB: Adam Webster (7)
- LB: Pervis Estupinan (6.5)
- CM: Moises Caicedo (8)
- CM: Alexis Mac Alister (7.5)
- CAM: Julio Enciso (6.5)
- RW: Solly March (7)
- ST: Danny Welbeck (5)
- LW: Kaoru Mitoma (6.5)
Substitutes
- Joel Veltman (6)
- Deniz Undav (6)
Manchester United
- GK: David de Gea (7)
- RB: Aaron Wan-Bissaka (7)
- CB: Victor Lindelof (6)
- CB: Luke Shaw (7)
- LB: Diogo Dalot (6)
- CDM: Casemiro (6.5)
- CDM: Christian Eriksen (5)
- CAM: Bruno Fernandes (6)
- RW: Antony (6.5)
- ST: Anthony Martial (5.5)
- LW: Marcus Rashford (6.5)
Substitutes
- Jadon Sancho (5)
- Marcel Sabitzer (5)
- Wout Weghorst (3)
- Tyrell Malacia (3)
Match reaction
Casemiro made more successful tackles (4), made more interceptions (5) and committed more fouls (2) than any other player on the pitch in the first half. 😈#EmiratesFACup
— Squawka Live (@Squawka_Live) April 23, 2023
Robert Sanchez’s first half by numbers vs. Man Utd:
90% pass accuracy
24 touches
18 passes completed
2 saves
1 save from close range
1 sweepDistribution. ✅ pic.twitter.com/LoRhu8AS2v
— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) April 23, 2023
Half an hour in and shaw is making things look smooth at the back #FACup #mufc
— daethlock (@daethlock54) April 23, 2023
Casemiro has been off the pace with a few stray passes and shows his frustration with a poor challenge on MacAllister, for which he is booked #MUFC #BHAFC @MirrorFootball
— David McDonnell (@DiscoMirror) April 23, 2023
Shaw is playing well. He’s following Welbeck around, even deep into Brighton territory + sensing danger elsewhere.
His turn out of trouble from De Gea’s pass was high-wire skill. Could be important as game goes on. He had to take out Caicedo after Dalot’s poor pass. #MUFC
— Laurie Whitwell (@lauriewhitwell) April 23, 2023
Brilliant reaction save from De Gea to deny Enciso.
— Simon Stone (@sistoney67) April 23, 2023
Mac Allister is a colossus at keeping the ball and playing the right passes…Caicedo has unique close dribbling ability tho…Two world class midfielders…Brighton are such a good team….Their patterned play is so visible…Credit to bloom for creating such a good side by
— IsaacJuliusAmoakoGyan (@IsaacJuliusAmo1) April 23, 2023
Lindelof there – class
— jamie jackson (@JamieJackson___) April 23, 2023
