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Wolves logo
FA Cup | Quarter-Finals
Mar 16, 2019 at 7.55pm UK
 
Manchester United logo

2-1

Jimenez (70'), Jota (76')
FT(HT: 0-0)
Rashford (95')

Raul Jimenez, Diogo Jota dump Manchester United out of FA Cup

Second-half goals from Raul Jimenez and Diogo Jota fire Wolverhampton Wanderers to Wembley with a 2-1 win over Manchester United in the FA Cup quarter-finals.

Wolverhampton Wanderers have defeated Manchester United 2-1 at Molineux to reach the semi-finals of the FA Cup for the first time since 1998, courtesy of second-half goals from in-form strike duo Raul Jimenez and Diogo Jota.

The home side wasted the only real chance of the first half when Sergio Romero kept out Jota from a one-on-one position, before the Argentine keeper produced two fine saves in the early stages of the second half.

Wolves found a way through eventually, though, earning the famous win in a season to remember thanks to Jimenez's shot on the turn and Jota's breakaway strike in the space of six minutes.

Marcus Rashford pulled one back for United in the 95th minute, but that was nothing more than a consolation as the Red Devils slipped to successive defeats under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer for the first time.

Diogo Jota celebrates after extending Wolverhampton Wanderers' lead against Manchester United on March 16, 2019© Reuters

The first half gradually improved as it went on, taking 15 minutes for the first shot to arrive through Rashford's effort from 25 yards that was comfortably dealt with by John Ruddy.

Only in one other away game all season have United had more touches of the ball in the first half of a match than they managed here, against Newcastle United in January, but they struggled to turn possession into chances.

With half an hour played Wolves nearly punished their opponents' lack of cutting edge, as Ruben Neves's controlled shot and Jota's tame attempt forced Romero into two saves in as many minutes - more than he had to make in the entire 90 minutes against Chelsea in the last round.

United had a penalty appeal rejected soon after when Diogo Dalot's shot hit Jonny Castro Otto on the elbow, though Wolves felt that they had a legitimate shout turned down when Willy Boly and Leander Dendoncker were both sent to the floor as they attacked a corner.

The only clear-cut chance of the opening 45 minutes would fall the home side's way, but Jota was unable to make the most of it after being played through on goal by Neves, being denied by Romero who was quickly off his line.

Marcus Rashford pictured during Manchester United's FA Cup quarter-final tie with Wolverhampton Wanderers on March 16, 2019© Reuters

Both sides showed plenty of attacking intent in the early stages of the second period, with Rashford and Jimenez both skewing wide from inside the box.

After suffering the disappointment of having Rashford and Nemanja Matic cautioned, meaning both players would have missed the semi-finals had United won, Solskjaer was grateful to Romero for keeping his side level.

The Argentine keeper produced two top-class saves to keep out Jimenez and Joao Moutinho, tipping the former's powerful header onto the crossbar and getting a strong hand to the latter's curler from further out.

Wolves' pressure eventually told, though, as Jimenez picked out the bottom corner, despite having a number of players around him, after profiting from some good Moutinho play out wide.

Raul Jimenez celebrates after opening the scoring for Wolverhampton Wanderers against Manchester United on March 16, 2019© Reuters

United offered little in response and they were soon two down after Jota turned Luke Shaw inside out on the counter, kept Victor Lindelof at arm's length and powered the ball past Romero, who perhaps could have done a little better to keep it out.

Lindelof was shown a red card late in the match for lunging in on Jota, though after a VAR review it was decided that referee Martin Atkinson's decision was a little too harsh, leading to a yellow being shown instead.

That could have proved contentious had United fought back, but Rashford's neat finish after some good work from Shaw down the left proved to be the final telling touch of the ball.

WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS (3-5-2): Ruddy; Saiss, Coady, Boly; Doherty, Dendoncker, Neves, Saiss, Moutinho, Jonny; Jota (Traore 87'), Jimenez (Costa 95')

MANCHESTER UNITED (4-3-3): Romero; Dalot, Smalling, Lindelof, Shaw; Herrera (Pereira 71'), Matic (Mata 86'), Pogba; Lingard (McTominay 86'), Rashford, Martial

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Manchester United forward Anthony Martial in action during his side's Premier League clash with Fulham on February 9, 2019
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