Norwich (United Kingdom) (AFP)
Manchester United will have lost forces in the battle, but qualified for the semi-finals of the Cup of England by having Norwich after overtime (2-1, 1-1 after 90 minutes) thanks in particular to the entry in decisive play by Paul Pogba.
Highly visible since his return to business during the first two meetings of the Mancunians since the resumption of competition, the Frenchman has long been preserved by his coach Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. It was only after the equalization that the world champion came into play, to boost the meeting.
And his contribution was total: he almost scored at the last second of regulation time, and was all the hot moments in overtime, taking advantage of spaces which he loves in the midfield, left free after the exclusion of Timm Klose (89th). His ease was rewarded in the 118th minute, where he is, a malignant flick towards Anthony Martial, the originator of the goal of Harry Maguire.
With a team very overhauled at the start, the Red Devils had, before that, suffered a lot of pressure from the "Canaries", and the goal of Odion Ighalo at the start of the first period (51st) had only masked part of the deficiencies .
It is therefore logically enough that Todd Cantwell saw his beautiful strike from afar finish in the back of the net (75th), signing the first goal for his team since confinement, a relief for Norwich.
But the overtime was too long for the Premier League red lantern, which lost hope to save much of its season.
Martial stayed on the bench until overtime, and his team's efficiency was long lacking, three days after the Frenchman's treble against Sheffield.
Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester City will be looking to join United on Sunday, all on the road. The Blues will notably challenge Leicester for the big poster for these quarter-finals.
© 2020 AFP