No one could predict Brighton having better of teams like Chelsea, Liverpool, Tottenham and Arsenal this season,coupled with fact of Manchester United winning streak dried up. The dilemma of figuring out the underdog was shared between the eager fans and hope was on a all-time high.
The game kicked off with both managers masking their weakness this action desperately sucked the life of the game, prior to the match being at opening stage it was clear Brighton were conservative with possession and the fans noticed the carefulness,lack of urgency, and the unwillingness to commit bodies forward from their side.
Manchester united on the other hand stopped building from the back and switched to long balls, this prevented them from shifting the opponents side to side, putting together exciting combinations and creativity was lacking. Degea's delivery was either over hit or missing accuracy leading to United conceding possession.
First half played off like a loop with only defining key moment: mac allister freekick requiring a save from Degea, Bruno bottom right vicious shot with a stop from Sanchez and Wellbeck missing a free header from a corner delivery.The game waged on with both teams squandering what little chance came to them, football gods were feeling impartial on this day, Brighton invoke the dark arts by breaking up play with technical fouls and time wasting, this dragged the game painfully, riled up their opponents to equally commit fouls only their's came with ref sanctions.
Questions were asked of the Ref loyalty, Ten hag could be seen badgering the fourth official demanding answers, Surprisingly another wasteful half was endured by both fans and the game ended in 0-0.
Brighton showed signs of fatigue during the extra-time and was on the back foot most of the times , but showed signs of life on the counter from United error. Despite all the probing from both sides the 120 mins games went to shootout. Relive the moment below.
Not the way they would have wanted it, but Manchester United found a way past Brighton into the FA Cup final, where it will square off against its bitter rival - Manchester City.
The first ever Manchester Derby final of this competition.
Honorable mention to Aaron wan-bissaka being a menace and terror on the right side, rendering threats from Mitoma ineffective.