In a way that nobody could have predicted, Manchester United advanced to another FA Cup final against bitter rival Manchester City.

Sunday’s semifinal match will live long in the memory as United lost to second-tier Coventry, came back from behind in a penalty shootout to advance to the May 25 title match back at Wembley Stadium, and was spared a defeat by the narrowest of margins in stoppage time of extra time thanks to a VAR decision.

When Rasmus Hojlund scored the game-winning penalty kick to give United a 4-2 victory in the shootout, the team’s celebrations were mixed with relief and delight. As they walked off the field at England’s national stadium, United’s players did, in fact, appear bashful, almost humiliated, in contrast to their Coventry counterparts, who were greeted with applause from their patriotic, flag-waving, blue-clad supporters.

This kind of run to the final will not alleviate the mounting doubts around United manager Erik ten Hag’s future; even a victory vs City may not be enough to keep him in his job. United, the most prestigious club in England, is currently languishing in seventh place in the Premier League. The team’s recent run of poor performances, which included a late collapse against Coventry, will worry Jim Ratcliffe, the club’s new co-owner and someone who watched the game at Wembley after running the London Marathon.

Bruno Fernandes, the captain of United, could not muster a smile even after his team advanced to the FA Cup final. “The standard of the club is much higher than what we have been doing,” he stated.

On its route to winning a Premier League, FA Cup, and Champions League treble last year, City defeated United 2-1 in the previous year’s final. On Saturday, it defeated Chelsea 1-0 in the first semifinal match.

Twelve months after the first cup final between the bitter local rivals, there will be another. Few will anticipate a different result from the encounter next month, when City hopes to have reclaimed the Premier League title.

United’s bad habit of blowing leads continued against a motivated Coventry team, who are eighth in the Championship and led by former Manchester United striker Mark Robins, who may have prevented Alex Ferguson’s firing three years into his illustrious career as United manager.

By the 58th minute, Bruno Fernandes, Harry Maguire, and Scott McTominay had placed United ahead 3-0 with a drive that deflected and ricocheted into the net.

In an incredible comeback, Coventry—which was hoping to make history by being the first non-Premier League team to make it to the final since Cardiff in 2008—scored goals from Ellis Sims in the 71st, Callum O’Hare in the 79th, and Haji Wright in the fifth minute of stoppage time.

With Sims striking the crossbar and Victor Torp having a goal disallowed in the first minute of second-half stoppage time due to a near offside decision against Wright during the buildup, Coventry was perhaps the more dominant team in extra time.

“Had he cut his toe nail, it wouldn´t have gone to penalties,” Robins stated.

The opening penalty of the shootout was missed by United player Casemiro, who was playing center defense out of position during the game. Coventry missed two more attempts from the spot, but United rallied.