The clock had ticked over into added time at the end of extra time of this FA Cup quarter-final. Manchester United were defending. They were defending more than just their goal and a 3-3 draw. They were defending their manager, Erik ten Hag. They were defending their pride. They were defending professional reputations that have been battered and bruised during the club’s fall from grace.
Liverpool, who were still clinging to the dream of winning the Quadruple for their departing manager, Jurgen Klopp, had a corner. United cleared it and when Harvey Elliott dallied on it a little too long on the edge of the area, Amad Diallo, a kid who seemed to be on the verge of giving up on his United career, stole if off him and it ran on to Alejandro Garnacho, a lad who never gives up, an island of optimism in another dull season at Old Trafford.