Both teams found the net in the scheduled five shots. Then Adam Webster and United’s Vot Vehorst scored in a one shot battle. Brighton’s Solly March blasted over the crossbar in the seventh. When Victor Lendelof found the net, United were in the euphoria of victory.
Manchester United will face Manchester City in the final on June 3 at Wembley. Riyad Mahrez’s hat-trick saw City beat Sheffield United 3-0 in the first semi-final earlier in the day.
This will be the first time in the history of the competition that the two Manchester teams will meet in the title fight. The twelfth title was last won by United in the 2015–16 season. City last tasted this trophy in the 2018-19 season.
Despite keeping control of the ball, United’s attacks were not sharp. In the 14th minute, Bruno Fernandes’ shot was deflected by the goalkeeper but they could not create any chance.
United continued to press Brighton towards the end of the first half, trying long-range shots, but the goal remained elusive before the break. In the 44th minute, Konakuni’s shot from Fernandes narrowly missed the far post. A little later, Martial’s long-range shot went wide of the crossbar. He had a chance to break through the gap between the two defenders but he hurriedly took a shot from well outside the box.
Moments before the break, Christian Eriksen took a shot at a team-mate’s cut back, and the Sheffield goalkeeper turned the ball straight into the shot.
Brighton could have gone ahead in the 56th minute. Julio Ncio’s strong volley from inside the box was somehow gloved over the crossbar by David de Gea. For the rest of the period United were unable to mount any significant attacks. Even Brighton could not break the deadlock. The fate of the match was decided in extra time.
In the first half of extra time, Brighton started to fight out of the defensive zone, keeping United in the eye. They also spooked the defense a few times, but De Geer couldn’t be tested.
In the 104th minute, Marcus Rashford’s shot hit a defender and after changing direction a bit, goalkeeper Robert Sanchez jumped out with a tap of his finger for a corner. A good chance for United to go ahead is wasted.
In the second half, Rashford took a long cross from his teammate and took a shot. But the ball goes out with a distant post. Brighton’s Kaoru Mitoma also had a chance on goal late on, but fumbled and lost control of the ball. The match will be made by tiebreaker. United played there.