Manchester United’s FA Cup title defence came to an end at home to Fulham as Bernd Leno saved Victor Lindelof and Joshua Zirkzee’s spot-kicks to send Marco Silva’s men through to the quarter-finals on penalties.
The Red Devils reached the final in both seasons under Erik ten Hag, but Ruben Amorim’s stumbling side saw their dreams extinguished in the fifth round on Sunday as the Whites reached the final eight for the second time in three campaigns.
Leno was Fulham’s hero as the goalkeeper produced a pair of saves in a 4-3 shootout win after an end-to-end encounter finished 1-1 after extra-time, with a home quarter-final against Crystal Palace the reward.
Progress was particularly sweet given Silva was sent off along with Willian and Aleksandar Mitrovic during a minute of madness in a quarter-final collapse at Old Trafford two years ago.
Calvin Bassey’s header in first-half stoppage-time gave Fulham the lead this time, only for Bruno Fernandes to delight frustrated United fans – and silence outspoken former skipper Roy Keane – with a great first-time equaliser.
Both sides had chances to win the fifth-round tie before it reached penalties, when Leno denied Lindelof and Zirkzee to seal a famous Old Trafford win.
