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Man Utd need penalties to secure FA Cup final spot

Manchester United will meet cross-town rivals Manchester City in the final of the FA Cup after seeing off Brighton and Hove Albion on penalties.

The Red Devils were boosted by the return of Bruno Fernandes and Luke Shaw, while Marcus Rashford regained his spot in the attack as Jadon Sancho dropped to the bench.

Brighton went close to taking the lead on seven minutes when Alexis Mac Allister tried his luck from a set-piece 20 yards out, but goalkeeper David de Gea produced a fine save.

Brighton shot-stopper Robert Sanchez was called into action seven minutes later as he produced a good save to keep out Fernandes' curling effort from the edge of the area.

The Seagulls continued to look lively in the middle of the park, with Mac Allister and Caicedo stamping their authority on the game.

Erik ten Hag's charges should have been ahead before the break when Casemiro slipped in Fernandes, who dragged his effort wide of the mark before Christian Eriksen was denied by Sanchez moments later.

Julio Enciso nearly got the breakthrough for Brighton ten minutes into the second half with a powerful snapped shot that forced De Gea into a fine finger-tip save.

Ten Hag made his first change on the hour mark as Eriksen made way for Brazil international Fred in the midfield, while Brighton threw on Joel Veltman for Enciso minutess later.

Brighton went close on 82 minutes when Solly March managed to create some space before unleashing a low strike that was brilliantly kept out by De Gea, who denied Pascal Gross on the rebound.

Extra-time was needed to separated the two sides, which certainly would have favoured Brighton after United were involved in the UEFA Europa League on Thursday night.

United almost went ahead just before the interval when Jadon Sancho teed up Rashford, who saw his deflected effort from the edge of the area tipped away by Sanchez.

After failing to find the back of the net, United went on to secure the win via a penalty shoot-out by winning 7-6 in sudden death.

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