Martial scores late to send Man United into FA Cup final

LONDON — Anthony Martial darted through the Everton defence, slotted in Manchester United’s winner and continued his run past the Wembley Stadium stewards before launching himself into the crowd.

It was a flash of pure elation after being so cool under pressure to score in the third minute of stoppage time and send United into its first FA Cup final in nine years with a 2-1 victory over Everton.

Martial created Marouane Fellaini’s first-half opener but that was cancelled out by Chris Smalling’s own goal and the semi-final was heading to extra time.

Martial’s match-winning moment demonstrated why United was willing to commit up to €80 million (S$121.6 million) last year on acquiring a largely unproven teenager who is now 20 and a France international forward.

“When you see the joy in the eyes of the players, that is fantastic to see but also for the fans,” United manager Louis van Gaal said.

Winning football’s oldest knockout competition could yet provide Van Gaal with a glorious end to another underwhelming season.

The Dutchman could deliver on May 21 the club’s first major trophy since Alex Ferguson retired. United faces either Crystal Palace and Watford, who meet on Sunday (April 24).

Ferguson’s last act as United manager after 26 years was to deliver a 20th English title but the team has not come close to No 21 since then — first under David Moyes and for the last two years with Van Gaal at the helm.

United is struggling even to finish in the top four and secure lucrative Champions League qualification, with Arsenal four points ahead in fourth place.

Ultimately, snatching fourth place is more significant for United’s prestige than winning a domestic cup, whose status has diminished with many teams sending out weakened lineups in earlier rounds.

“It’s not for me to judge, it’s for the board of Manchester United,” Van Gaal said.

And United has not challenged the accuracy of months of reports that Van Gaal is heading for the Old Trafford exit before entering the final season of his contract, with former Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho being lined up as a replacement.

“I am not looking beyond this competition, the FA Cup, because we live in the present,” Van Gaal said. “And for the future I will discuss that with my board and not with you.”

Everton counterpart Roberto Martinez could also be having conversations with the Merseyside club’s board about his future.

Discontent has been growing around Goodison Park as Everton has slipped to 11th place, remaining without a win in any competition since Romelu Lukaku’s goals booked a place in this semifinal by beating Chelsea more than a month ago.

Lukaku had two early chances to put Everton in front against United. He rounded De Gea but was denied by Wayne Rooney’s goal-line clearance, and then had a shot blocked by the goalkeeper’s right leg after another long ball breached the United defence.

United was deployed in midfield beyond Marcus Rashford, the 18-year-old forward who has been the breakthrough sensation of their season.

When United’s FA Cup campaign started in January, Rashford was still in the academy. A tame shot was blocked by goalkeeper Joel Robles but soon he was the creator of the 34th-minute opener.

Martial received the ball from Rashford, and waltzed through the defence before providing a cutback for Fellaini, who clipped in a shot.

It was the first goal Everton conceded in almost 400 minutes of football in the FA Cup.

And Martinez’s side was handed a lifeline early in the second half when Timothy Fosu-Mensah was brought down by Ross Barkley, but Lukaku’s penalty was saved by De Gea.

Everton’s spirits weren’t dampened. With 15 minutes remaining, Gerard Deulofeu’s cross was inadvertently turned into his own net by Smalling.

But the Toffees couldn’t beat De Gea again, and they were stunned just as they prepared for extra time.

Martial linked up with Rashford on the left flank and played another one-two with Ander Herrera before guiding his shot past Robles.

“It’s as cruel as football can be,” Martinez said. AP