How Manchester United and Liverpool set up heavyweight FA Cup quarterfinal

The quarterfinal draw for the FA Cup had football maniacs buzzing with exhilaration, as it presented the tantalizing possibility of a heavyweight clash between Manchester United and Liverpool at the iconic Old Trafford.

This potential showdown seemed uncertain at first as Nottingham Forest put up a strong defensive display against United in a fiercely contested match on Wednesday night, but in a truly nail-biting moment, Casemiro emerged as the hero with an 89th-minute winner. The goal, though subject to a lengthy VAR check for a potential offside in the buildup, ultimately stood, solidifying United's 1-0 triumph.

Despite a match that lacked true moments of brilliance, with a total of 36 attempts on goal, the result is what truly matters for the Red Devils and their under-fire manager Erik ten Hag. With their hopes of silverware dwindling, the FA Cup now represents United's last chance to salvage their season and lift a coveted trophy.

While there were positives to take from United's resilience, it was evident that they sorely missed the presence of their striker Rasmus Højlund, who has been in scintillating form lately, scoring seven goals in just six league games. The in-form Danish striker was also unavailable for the previous home defeat against Fulham, where United struggled to find the back of the net despite taking 21 shots.

Another cause for concern was the lackluster display from Antony, who, believe it or not, happens to be United's second most expensive player in history. The Brazilian forward had an unfortunate moment early on when his effort from the edge of the area ricocheted off the crossbar. This came as a result of a well-executed corner routine and was part of United's early offensive push that should have seen them take the lead.

Antony did manage one more attempt on goal in the second half before being substituted for Amad Diallo with 17 minutes remaining. However, as he trudged to the sideline, it was apparent to see that he was thoroughly disheartened with his performance.

Marcus Rashford also had a rather subdued display, failing to make a significant impact on the game. His struggles were for all to see when he blazed a shot wide after a promising run into the box, leaving the outcome uncertain and the possibility of extra time looming. However, much to the joy of the visiting fans, Casemiro had different plans. With his first goal since September, the Brazilian midfielder emerged as the game-changer, decisively tipping the scales in favor of his team.

Just moments after Casemiro's pivotal contribution, Liverpool booked their date with United in the quarterfinals with a convincing 3-0 victory over Southampton. Fresh off their recent League Cup final triumph against Chelsea, Liverpool once again turned to their young talents to deliver the goods. 

With a number of key first-team players sidelined due to injuries, Jurgen Klopp put his faith in a starting XI that included six players aged 21 or younger, and they certainly did not disappoint. The 18-year-old Lewis Koumas made a dream debut by opening the scoring at Anfield. Not to be outdone, fellow 18-year-old Jayden Danns made a significant impact as a substitute in the second half, repaying Klopp's trust with a brace of goals. 

According to stats provider Opta, Danns now becomes the youngest Liverpool player to score two or more goals in a game since the legendary Michael Owen achieved a hat-trick against Grimsby back in November 1997.

Klopp will be keeping his fingers crossed for the return of some of his more experienced stars from injury before their upcoming blockbuster face-off with United. However, if that proves unlikely, he can take solace in the fact that his young guns have consistently exceeded expectations.  

The German tactician's unwavering faith in his youngsters has paid off handsomely thus far, and he will have complete confidence in their ability to shine on the big stage when it matters most.