Manchester United are through to the FA Cup final having just about avoided major embarrassment against Coventry City on Sunday afternoon.
United haven’t exactly set the world alight this season but most would have expected Erik ten Hag’s men to coast past Coventry.
That was the case for 70 minutes as United went 3-0 up through Scott McTominay, Harry Maguire and Bruno Fernandes.
All hell broke loose as soon as Coventry pulled one goal back through Ellis Simms and Callum O’Hare’s deflected strike only caused more panic.
United fans probably expected a leveller and it came in injury time as Haji Wright equalised from the penalty spot.
Both sides hit the woodwork in extra time before Coventry appeared to have won it in the dying seconds, only for Victor Torp’s goal to be ruled out for a marginal offside.
United were fortunate to say the least but then got the job done on penalties with Rasmus Hojlund smashing home the winner in front of the United fans.
Erik ten Hag on Andre Onana
Reaching a final is always something to celebrate but we could forgive any United fan for feeling somewhat embarrassed after that victory.
United crumbled at 3-0 up against a Championship side and so many players seemed to go hiding in the tough moments.
At least United got over the line on penalties and Andre Onana played a crucial role by saying O’Hare’s effort.
Onana also seemed to get inside the head of Coventry midfielder Ben Sheaf before he blazed his effort over the bar.
United boss Erik ten Hag moved to praise Onana after the shootout, telling BBC Sport that he was ‘confident’ that the United stopper would make at least one save.
Ten Hag noted that he was ‘always calm’ during the shootout, but seeing Casemiro fail to score with the first penalty wasn’t exactly the best start.
“I am always calm, I focus and know my players can shoot penalties. I’m always confident Andre [Onana] will catch minimum one,” said Ten Hag. “I was quite convinced but when the first is a mis-hit then you never know,” he added.
Ten Hag trust is why Onana is at United
Many raised eyebrows about the money spent on signing Onana, especially after a rather inauspicious start to Premier League life.
Onana has grown as the season has gone on and few United fans would replace him right now.
Ten Hag needed to have a goalkeeper he trusts and he clearly just didn’t feel that way about David De Gea last season.
Ten Hag knew Onana from their time together at Ajax and clearly trusts him; both with the ball at his feet and in the big moments.
We saw exactly why on Sunday with Onana playing a vital role in sending United through to the FA Cup final.
Onana may just have one request though; please, please stop allowing so many shots on the United goal.