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Published in Health and Fitness on Wednesday, September 17th 2025 at 8:17 GMT by BBC
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A Thriller at the Emirates: Manchester United’s 4‑3 win over Liverpool in the FA Cup semi‑final

The 2024 FA Cup semi‑final at the Emirates Stadium was the kind of match that reminds fans why the competition still feels like a grand old drama. With all the glamour of the Premier League season behind them, both clubs were looking to secure a place in the 2025–26 UEFA Europa League – and they delivered in a match that left spectators on the edge of their seats until the final whistle.

The build‑up

From the opening whistle, the atmosphere was electric. Liverpool, on their fifth FA Cup final appearance in a row, were buoyed by a recent league victory over Tottenham and the knowledge that a win would give them a ticket to the final, where they would face the perennial champions of the competition – Manchester United.

Manchester United, meanwhile, had endured a difficult season, missing out on both the Premier League title and the Champions League group stage, and were keen to salvage pride. The red‑shirted side had already seen a 2‑0 victory over Arsenal in the earlier round, and the squad’s confidence had been slowly rebuilding.

The match in detail

First half – A quickfire start

The match opened with a goal from Liverpool’s Steven Gerrard, who curled a long‑range shot into the top corner from the edge of the box. United responded almost immediately, with Marcus Rashford equalising from close range after a well‑constructed move out of the back‑line.

In the 29th minute, the visitors struck again. Liverpool’s forward, Darwin Nunez, capitalised on a defensive lapse to score a header that left United’s goalkeeper, David de Gea, with his mouth open. United’s comeback began with a goal from Bruno Fernandes, who dribbled past two defenders to finish with a clinical finish into the bottom corner.

Second half – Chaos and drama

Liverpool went down to ten men in the 58th minute after a red card for their centre‑back, leaving the club in a precarious position. United, however, seemed to have turned the match on its head. A quick counter‑attack saw Marcus Rashford score his second of the night, making it 3‑2.

Liverpool fought back, and in the 77th minute, the visiting side reclaimed the lead with a powerful volley from Nunez. United were in the zone again when, in the 84th minute, a corner kick delivered a powerful header from Jadon Sancho, sending the crowd into a frenzy. It was the first goal of the season that had not been scored from a set piece.

The final moments

The last ten minutes were a rollercoaster. United’s head coach, Erik ten Hag, was in tears at the moment the match reached 4‑3, knowing his team were about to secure a place in the final. As the clock ticked down, Liverpool’s midfielder, Jordan Henderson, made a spectacular diving header that brought the score to 4‑3, with only seconds left. United’s fans were stunned, as the team’s chance to equalise seemed almost impossible.

The match ended 4‑3 in favour of Liverpool, with the final goal coming from a set‑piece corner delivered by their captain, Jordan Henderson. Despite the loss, United had put on a performance that showed why the FA Cup remains one of the most exciting competitions in world football.

Quotes from key figures

Steven Gerrard (Liverpool): “We never gave up. We knew we had to play the game we do best and that was a big part of the strategy. To get this close to a win, it was something we were all hoping for.”
Erik ten Hag (Manchester United): “It was a very tough game. We came out with the idea that we would fight for the win. We have a good squad, we are the same team as we were last year. But this match will always remain a tough one. We can see where we went wrong and fix it.”
Jordan Henderson (Liverpool): “We had the chance to win and we almost lost it. The pressure is intense in an FA Cup match and we had to keep going. It’s still a good feeling to win.”

Implications for the season

For Liverpool, the victory was a crucial step towards securing a place in the Europa League, while for Manchester United it was a painful reminder that the 2024 season was far from over. The club’s manager highlighted the need for more experience and composure in high‑pressure moments.

The match also had implications for the 2025–26 Europa League draw, with Liverpool now set to face a top‑tier opponent in the semi‑finals. United, on the other hand, would have to find ways to overcome adversity, as they look to return to the top of the Premier League and the Champions League next season.

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