GARY NEVILLE joked that Ian Wright’s FA Cup semi-final draw “didn’t feel right” after fans accused it of being “fixed”.

The draw took place at Old Trafford on Sunday, after Manchester United’s thrilling 4-3 win over Liverpool.

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The Red Devils played Championship side Coventry, while holders Manchester City were paired with Chelsea.

But the manner of the draw sent many fans into a frenzy as Wright selected the balls in front of Roy Keane and Graeme Souness in the studio.

They remained seated as Wright rummaged around in the famous velvet bag before showing the numbers to the camera.

And the viewers were not told in advance which song belonged to which team.

The casual atmosphere was a far cry from most draws, which usually take place in a much more formal setting.

Teams were also drawn directly from the bag rather than first being placed in a hat as is traditionally the case.

And Manchester United legend Neville spoke about the bizarre format when speaking to Arsenal icon Wright during the latest edition of Stick to football.

He said: “That didn’t feel right at the end, you pulled it out like a Marks and Spencer bag.”

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Lioness legend Jill Scott then wondered why “nobody laughed” about Wright’s comment about shaking his “ball sack.”

Before the ex-Gunners man replied: “Do you know how many people went crazy over that?

“It’s only four balls. I think people were a bit upset about the fact that we didn’t know who was one, two, three and four.

“But the most important thing is that they are so strict on ‘don’t look in the bag, make sure the bag is closed properly before you open it so you don’t look’.

“People end up saying, ‘What’s he doing the Stevie Wonder for?’ I wasn’t doing Stevie Wonder, I was just making sure I wasn’t looking in so much [moves his head away] and it looked like Stevie Wonder.

“But I didn’t want people to say, ‘Ah, that draw was wrong.’

“People still slaughtered you, but I thought it was a great draw.”

There is no evidence that claims the draw has been fixed.

MANCHESTER UNITED teenage sensation Amad Diallo was shown a red card for celebrating stoppage time in the FA Cup against Liverpool, but he can still feature in the semi-final.

Diallo’s goal in the 121st minute gave United a thrilling 4-3 victory over Jurgen Klopp’s men in the FA Cup last-16 tie.

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And the young Red Devil picked up a second yellow card for celebrating with his shirt off after ‘forgetting’ he had already received one earlier in the match.

Under normal circumstances this would result in Diallo missing United’s next match in the league.

But in the FA Cup different rules apply.

Why can Amad Diallo play in the FA Cup semi-final?

Amad Diallo will still serve a one-match ban for receiving a red card, but under FA Cup rules it will be served in United’s next home match.

Manchester United will take on Brentford in a crucial Premier League match on Saturday, March 30. Diallo is excluded from this match.

While United’s FA Cup semi-final against Coventry doesn’t take place until the end of April.

What has been said?

Diallo believed United deserved to win and admitted he felt his winner was the best goal of his career.

After the whistle, Diallo said: “What a match. Today I think we deserved this victory.

“One of the best games of the season, so I’m very happy. It was an important moment, I think it was the best goal of my career.

I don’t believe it, but this is football, so you have to believe every moment. When he (Garnacho) gave me the ball, I wanted to give it to him again, but I shot.

“I forgot the first yellow card, so I’m very disappointed that I got the red card, but the most important thing for me was to get the win. Everyone came up to me and said I deserved it. The most important thing [thing] for me today was the victory.”

When is the Man Utd FA Cup semi-final?

• Manchester United’s exciting FA Cup semi-match against Coventry takes place next weekend April 20 and 21.
• Wembley will be the designated arena for this huge clash, seating around 90,000 passionate fans.
• If United advance, they will play either Manchester City or Chelsea in the final.

The Championship play-off final will be postponed to JUNE if Coventry City pull off a big FA Cup victory, it has been claimed.

The Sky Blues are still in a good bid to qualify for the richest competition in football.

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Mark Robins’ troops are four points behind in sixth place Norwich cityalready finished them The Canaries a match in hand.

The play-off final will take place on May 26 at Wembley Stadium, but the match will be postponed if Coventry shock the world and reach the FA Cup final.

Coventry will face Premier League giants Manchester United in the semi-final of the tournament on April 20.

And the FA The cup final will take place on May 25, the day before the play-off final.

And according to The daily emailthe EFL will postpone the match for seven days until June 2 if both scenarios come to fruition.

Wembley staff will be busy for 48 hours if Coventry reach both finals, with the Champions League final taking place on June 1.

Coventry boss Robins will have added incentive to reach the FA Cup final as he used to play for the Red Devils.

He said of United’s stunning 4-3 win over Liverpool: “I watched it and I thought the whole weekend was excellent.

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“The games were all entertaining and many goals were scored.

“I thought ours set the tone and it was just incredible.

“The feeling everyone was left with is that it’s one of those games you’ll never forget. It was brilliant.”

He added: “Sunday’s match was an open game and Man United were brave.

“They had to make changes and put midfield players and forwards at full-back and they went for it and it paid off.

And Amad Diallo’s goal made it complete for them.

“In the end, United did enough to win, but I think our play set the tone for everyone else.”

ROY KEANE gave Manchester United’s mascot the coldest shoulder during their FA Cup clash with Liverpool.

The club legend was on the pitch doing his pundit duties for ITV ahead of the thrilling quarter-final at Old Trafford.

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Keane, 52, was approached by the lover Fred The Red for a high-five during a commercial break.

But the Irishman wasn’t in the mood and really left him hanging.

Keane’s brutal criticism did not go unnoticed by footie fans, one of whom said: “Roy Keane has no time for mascots in football, not even Fred The Red.”

Another said: “He’s too cold.”

And another said: “Classic Roy Keane.”

One pretended to be Keane and commented: “Mascots?! Do me a favor.”

Another agreed: “Football mascots used to be so appreciated and cherished by all clubs.”

However, Fred The Red briefly hugged Keane and wrapped his left arm around the former fan favorite, much to the amusement of Graeme Souness.

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United booked their place in the last four of the tournament thanks to a sensational 4-3 victory over their bitter rivals.

Substitute Amad Diallo created incredible scenes at Old Trafford with a last-gasp winner in extra-time just minutes after Marcus Rashford’s equalizer.

And Keane believes the stunning win could be a huge turning point for his former side.

He told ITV: “Man United – I’ve been critical of them all season but they’ve found something somewhere.

“A little spirit, a little momentum.

“They got a bit of luck and sloppiness from Liverpool.

“Amazing, a huge turning point for a lot of these players, especially the manager. Old Trafford is bouncing.

“It’s been a tough season for everyone, great images, great for the young players to get through a big game.

“Honestly, a great ending to the game.”

Erik ten Hag’s troops will play Championship side Coventry City in the semi-finals in April.”

THE FA CUP final could be hit by major scheduling chaos over the date of the championship play-off final.

That’s because the FA Cup final is scheduled for May 25 – just one day before the Championship play-off final on May 26.

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And that potentially poses a major problem for Mark Robins’ Coventry side.

The second-tier team is just four points behind the top six with a game in hand.

This means they are fighting for a place in the play-off final at Wembley, which they lost to Luton on penalties last year.

However, they are also just one game away from the FA Cup final.

A dramatic 3-2 win over Wolves on Saturday secured a place in the last four.

They were then drawn against Manchester United in the semi-finals after Erik ten Hag’s side defeated Liverpool 4–3 in a classic encounter.

A win for Coventry over Man Utd would make them the first second-tier club since Cardiff in 2008 to reach the FA Cup final.

And it could also cause a major problem in terms of scheduling, as The Sky Blues would have two games in the same weekend if they also reached the play-off final.

Since the introduction of the play-offs in 1987, such an event has never occurred, with second division teams that have reached the FA Cup final not appearing in the play-off final.

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There is also no plan for this to happen.

SunSport understands that if this did happen, the Championship match would be moved to accommodate the FA Cup, with the EFL making a final decision on a potential new date.

But before that there’s the FA Cup semi-finals, not to mention the rest of the Championship season.

FANS are convinced Erik ten Hag is “doing business” after seeing four tactical masterclasses in the win over Liverpool.

Sir Alex Ferguson was in the stands to watch Manchester United’s 4-3 win over their rivals in the FA Cup to secure a semi-final against Coventry.

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Scott McTominay put the Red Devils ahead but Alexis Mac Allister and Mo Salah put the visitors ahead before half-time – with both goals infuriating Roy Keane.

Substitute Antony struck at the end of normal time to send extra time, only for Harvey Elliott’s deflected effort to restore Liverpool’s lead.

Marcus Rashford struck late, seemingly sending penalties, but there was yet to be a late, dramatic twist.

Another substitute, Amad Diallo, scored in the final seconds after a counter-attack to win the score 4-3.

However, Amad’s party was cut short after he took off his shirt and was sent away after receiving his second booking.

As Ten Hag chased the match in normal time, he first introduced Antony and Harry Maguire from the bench, and both would have a huge impact.

Christian Eriksen replaced Kobbie Mainoo in midfield before the Dutchman became a little more enthusiastic when centre-back Raphael Varane made way with just a few minutes to go and match-winner Diallo took his place.

However, after Antony’s late equalizer which forced Ten Hag into a reshuffle in extra time, but before any major changes were made, they once again found themselves behind through Elliott.

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At the break of the extra thirty minutes, Ten Hag threw one last dice roll in an attempt to put the Reds on the back foot.

Midfielder Mason Mount came on for defender Victor Lindelof, which resulted in captain Bruno Fernandes dropping back to finish the match at centre-half, as the ambitious change paid off for United.

Some may think it was luck, but others were quick to praise Ten Hag’s tactics.

One fan wrote on

“Fernandes in the center back.

“All the subs were the right ones to make.

“He went all in to win by trading attackers for defenders.

“Antony finished as left back.

“He means business.”

Another agreed, writing: “Ten witches tactics on the spot.”

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A third said: “What fair play in the FA Cup for Liverpool but my god ten witch tactics were genius.”

A fellow fan said: “This is by far Erik Ten Hag’s best game as Manchester United boss.”

While a fifth said: “Fair play to Ten Hag, he got those substitutions in the right place today.

“I know we have been sidelined for a long time and there are some recurring problems, but we persevered and we got a result.

“Both teams had chances to win but we took ours and Liverpool didn’t take enough of theirs.”

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AMAD DIALLO was given a second warning after taking off his shirt following his last gasp win in the FA Cup.

The Manchester United winger’s actions were foolish because referee John Brooks had done so NO other option than showing a red card for his party.

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This law came about because players made political statements.

That wasn’t the case here, so I would like to see the law changed because fans want goals and emotional celebrations.

If Brooks had shown common sense, he would have been beaten by his bosses for not properly applying the law.

After the match, Diallo admitted that he forgot he had a yellow card.

But he didn’t want the dismissal to put a damper on his day.

He told ITV: “What a game. Today I think we deserved this win. One of the best games of the season so I’m very happy. It was an important moment, I think it’s the best goal of my career used to be.”

“I don’t believe it, but this is football, so you have to believe every moment. When he (Garnacho) gave me the ball, I wanted to give it again, but I shot.

“I forgot the first yellow card, so I’m very disappointed that I got the red card, but the most important thing for me was to get the win.

“Everyone came up to me and said I deserved it. The most important [thing] for me today was the victory.”

United won a thrilling match at Old Trafford 4-3.

They got off to a perfect start when Scott McTominay scored after just 10 minutes.

However, Liverpool turned the game on its head before half-time with a quick double from Alexis Mac Allister and Mo Salah.

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The visitors should have put the match beyond doubt before Antony equalized for United with just three minutes left on the clock.

In extra time, Harvey Elliot restored Liverpool’s lead, but Marcus Rashford leveled his team again.

Then, in the 120th minute, Ivory Coast’s Diallo raced clear to fire home the fourth to give his club a famous victory.

AMAD DIALLO’S stunning winner in the final seconds of extra time ended Jurgen Klopp’s hopes of a farewell quadruple in a classic FA Cup quarter-final.

The young Ivory Coast striker scored from Alejandro Garnacho’s breakaway as Erik ten Hag’s side twice came from behind to beat their bitter rivals and book a Wembley semi-final against Coventry.

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Diallo was sent off for taking off his shirt as he was already booked, but even that couldn’t take too much of the shine off the greatest moment of the 21-year-old’s young life.

Twice United looked dead and buried but a late Antony equalizer forced the break, then Marcus Rashford canceled out a Harvey Elliott strike in the extra half hour before Diallo scored only his United goal since a move from Atalanta in 2021 .

This was a wildly fluctuating quarter-final: United made a strong start and led through Scott McTominay, then Liverpool struck twice late in the first half through Alexis Mac Aliister and Mo Salah.

Liverpool dominated the second half but lacked ruthlessness, before Antony turned and fired home the equalizer, only for Rashford to miss a chance to finish the match inside 90 minutes.

It was a breathtaking end to an epic last-eight weekend of action, packed with ridiculous drama, amid an extraordinary atmosphere at Old Trafford.

This is always the fiercest rivalry in English football and the presence of 9,000 visiting fans saw a significant increase in volume.

It was a ferocious start from United and their supporters, who operated with a noise rarely heard here in recent years.

Rashford had a shot pushed away by a fully extended Kelleher as United attacked in waves.

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Every Liverpool mistake was celebrated as a goal and although Salah had sent a corner volley wide, United were worth their early lead.

A quickly taken free-kick from Bruno Fernandes had released Rashford and left Liverpool short-handed at the back.

Alejandro Garnacho’s shot was then pushed away by Kelleher, but McTominay grabbed the rebound to thrill Old Trafford.

Robertson had a good chance, but United still had the upper hand.

Kobbie Mainoo beat three Liverpool defenders in a foot strike and fed Rashford, who hit back for McTominay, but the midfielder’s shot was blocked by Virgil Van Dijk.

But Liverpool often start poorly, often fall behind and rarely stay behind for long.

A late rally from Klopp’s men in the first half turned the tie on its head.

First, Wataru Endo shot on target from a Salah center, after which the Egyptian was flagged for offside.

United fans were pleased when VAR upheld this smallest decision, but were soon stunned by a capitulation that turned a lead into a deficit inside three minutes.

First Jarrell Quansah was allowed to charge forward unchallenged and found Darwin Nunez who set up for Mac Allister to score with a shot that took a big deflection off Mainoo’s boot.

Then, in first-half stoppage time, things got even worse for Ten Hag as United suffered a robbery of their own making.

Fernandes received a pass from Aaron Wan-Bissaka on the edge of his own area but fell under a light challenge from Joe Gomez.

United’s ‘captain’ stayed down, the full-back stopped and appealed for a foul as Liverpool went ahead and scored.

Nunez was released on the left and his shot was pushed away by a flying Onana, but fell to Salah, who took a touch before firing home.

It was a shock end to a promising half for United and nothing Ten Hag said at half-time seemed to make the biggest difference as Liverpool started the second period on top.

Nunez almost beat Onana from the smallest angles at his near post, after which the Uruguayan shot one wide of the near post via a pass from Salah.

As the rain poured down and the Scousers crowed, United looked as if they were drowning.

Onana beat Nunez’s effort and Salah forced a diving save from the United keeper.

Out of desperation, Ten Hag sent for Antony, who quickly shot a shot wide.

There was little sign of an equalizer for United before it arrived in the 87th minute.

Garnacho was blocked in the area and the ball fell to Antony, who shook off Endo, turned and fired low into the far corner.

It was only the Brazilian’s second goal in 30 appearances this season, the first coming against Newport County.

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Almost immediately, Harvey Elliott hit the inside of the post before United cleared away.

Then, in the final action of stoppage time, Christian Eriksen’s chipped pass allowed Rashford to go clean through – and onside – but the England man somehow shot wide of the far post.

It was a staggering miss, further proof that Rashford is simply not an elite striker.

After Ten Hag went bust with his substitutions, United’s squad was now extremely unbalanced – with three defenders, Fernandes at left-back and Eriksen as the deepest midfielder.

Yet Antony fired narrowly over and Victor Lindelof hit one into the side netting as the hosts found a second wind.

But just before extra-time, Conor tipped Bradley Elliott, whose shot was deflected past Onana by Eriksen.

United rallied again – Maguire shot straight at Kelleher and then, after Nunez’s pass was intercepted, McTominay advanced and slid a pass to Rashford, who this time kept his composure and slotted past the Liverpool keeper.

United then launched a stunning late counter-attack, a two-on-one with Garnacho feeding Diallo, who curled his shot past Kelleher, sparking chaos at the Theater of Dreams.

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Both Manchester United and rival supporters joined in greeting Bruno Fernandes after he comforted a terrified and upset young mascot.

The Portuguese midfielder captained the Red Devils against Liverpool at Old Trafford this afternoon.

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The FA Cup match was shown live on ITV, and as the stars began to gather in the tunnel, one of the player escorts was seen breaking his heart.

Fernandes, 29, quickly spotted the sobbing child and tried to comfort him as they prepared to walk onto the field in front of a raucous crowd.

Seconds later it was time for action, but as the teams entered the Theater of Dreams, Fernandes went the extra mile to care for the overwhelmed child.

He had taken the boy in his arms and then carried him outside, while the boy held on tightly with an arm around the ex-Sporting Lisbon CEO’s neck.

Viewers were quick to notice Fernandes’ act of kindness, and even fans of other clubs couldn’t help but praise the usually polarizing player.

A rival supporter started the love-in, posting on X: “I can’t stand him but fair play to @B_Fernandes8 with that little mascot.”

Another said: “Awh bless bruno with the little kid mascot.”

A third wrote: “the little guy in the front stood there sobbing next to the upset mascot, bless him.”

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Along with a heart emoji, another post read: “Bruno comforting and carrying his concerned mascot.”

A fifth read: “Bruno’s little mascot is so cute.”

While a sixth wrote: “Bruno runs the scared mascot. The biggest game of the season and he’s the captain. F*** the haters.”

Another added: “Bruno Fernandes makes me like him because he’s so nice with that little overpowered mascot.”

And an eighth wrote: “I’m not a fan of Bruno Fernandes but I have to give him credit for looking after the young Utd mascot who was clearly nervous/upset.”

Former United captain Roy Keane worked for ITV as a pundit, and he couldn’t resist a cheeky joke after watching the first scene of the boy crying in the tunnel.

Host Mark Pougatch said: “There’s a lot of pressure on a lot of different people here this afternoon and this poor little mascot is a little overwhelmed at the moment, he has a soothing word.

“I think we need Uncle Roy to go see him.”

That led to the ever-dry Irishman replying: “I think he’s worried about the game, the mascot.”

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