‘Use tricks’ – Why Andre Onana happily took second yellow card for Man Utd as he channelled inner Emi Martinez during FA Cup semi-final penalty shootout with Coventry

The Cameroon international goalkeeper channelled his inner Emi Martinez after seeing a thrilling semi-final contest with Coventry go to spot-kicks. Onana had been booked for delaying proceedings in normal time, but collected a second caution for gamesmanship during a test of nerves from 12 yards, safe in the knowledge that he would not be sent off.

Aston Villa’s World Cup-winning keeper Martinez had done likewise a matter of days earlier in the Europa Conference League, with Onana telling reporters of his antics after seeing Callum O’Hare and Ben Sheaf fail from the spot as United progressed to the final 4-2 on penalties: “Before the penalties I knew that my first yellow card had been cancelled so I was aware of the rules. I had to make some provocation to some players and to use my tricks to win the game, so I’m happy for that.”

United threw away a three-goal lead against Coventry, with USMNT star Haji Wright sending the game to extra-time when converting a 95th-minute penalty. The Red Devils are, however, now readying themselves for another final showdown with arch-rivals Manchester City. Onana added on the importance of that fixture: “We have a big responsibility. We always have to improve, we are Manchester United. We are still the biggest club in the country so it doesn’t matter what we play, we will come back here to win.”

Onana will not be banned for the final, with suspensions for accumulated yellow cards ending at the quarter-final stage in FA Cup competition. That means he will be free to line up between the sticks once more at Wembley Stadium on May 25.