Man United win tense shootout to set up historic FA Cup final against Man City

Victor Lindelof of Manchester United scores the winning penalty during the penalty shootout at the end of the FA Cup semi-final match between Brighton & Hove Albion and Manchester United at Wembley Stadium on April 23, 2023 in London, United Kingdom.
(Image credit: Glyn Kirk/AFP via Getty Images)

Manchester United beat Brighton 7-6 on penalties after a 0-0 draw at Wembley to set up a first ever all-Manchester FA Cup final against Manchester City.

Solly March's skied spot-kick proved to be decisive, leaving Victor Lindelof to end of the first-ever FA Cup semi-final shootout to go to sudden death.

Brighton had the better opportunities throughout the 120 minutes of normal and extra time – with Kaoru Mitoma and March both going close with brilliant solo efforts during the latter – but there was ultimately no separating the sides on a day on which both goalkeepers showed inspired shot-stopping form.

Sanchez and David de Gea – who made amends for his horror show against Sevilla three days earlier – made five saves apiece to keep their respective sides in with a chance of reaching the final.

Some supremely high-quality spot-kicks in sudden torrential rain ensued, and it was Erik ten Hag's United who held their nerve to book another trip to Wembley – where they beat Newcastle to win the Carabao Cup back in February.

The FA Cup final, which brings down the curtain on the English domestic season, takes place on Saturday, June 3.

Tom Hancock

Tom Hancock started freelancing for FourFourTwo in April 2019 and has also written for the Premier League and Opta Analyst, among others. He supports Wycombe Wanderers and has a soft spot for Wealdstone. A self-confessed statto, he has been known to watch football with a spreadsheet (or several) open...