This is our theatre: where we put on a show

All different in terms of eras and the kind of entertainment they offer, but equally as thrilling.

Manchester United’s Emirates FA Cup quarter-final against Liverpool was billed as a battle between two giants, and it did not disappoint.

Fittingly with heavyweight champ Tyson Fury sat nearby, it was like seasoned boxers looking to settle a feud, as the teams traded blows at the Theatre of Dreams for more than 120 minutes and it was Erik ten Hag’s side who had their hands raised come the full-time whistle.

Before the match, there was chatter about how the fixture against Liverpool, our historic north-west rivals, could shape the narrative for any player in Ten Hag’s squad.

What went before didn’t matter. Contribute to a victory over Liverpool and you will forever be etched in United folklore.

Scott McTominay looked to have set us on the way towards that triumph in the first half, when he prodded home following Alejandro Garnacho’s palmed shot. Then came the first pendulum swing.

Quickfire finishes from Alexis Mac Allister and Mohamed Salah put Klopp’s team in control at the break and, having been stunned, there were some reservations in the press box that Erik’s men would be able to rally and get level.

For much of the second half, Liverpool looked comfortable, in truth, and there was a sense that the game was petering out in the closing stages. But if there is one thing that has stood out during Ten Hag’s reign, it is the Dutchman’s ability to change the game with the players he brings off the bench.

Cue 71st-minute introduction Antony. The Brazilian struck in the 87th minute and the roof came off Old Trafford. We’d forced extra-time and there was a sense among the buoyant home crowd that this was going to be our day. The teams traded blows once more in the first half of extra-time, but it was Liverpool who got their noses in front, as Harvey Elliott’s deflected shot evaded Andre Onana and, not for the first time on Sunday afternoon, we were 15 minutes away from being eliminated from the FA Cup at the hands of our fiercest rivals.

Erik threw everything at it, with Amad, Marcus Rashford, Garnacho and even Harry Maguire at times, forming an attacking four.

The boss was bold and, as the old saying goes, fortune favours the brave.

United simply did not stop. Such was the energy we threw into this match, McTominay looked to pull up with cramp just as he passed the ball through to Rashford to level things up. He also hobbled back as he defended a corner in the final minute of extra-time, but what was about to happen next is something I will never forget.

Amad, who had contributed well to both attack and defence since coming on close to full-time in normal time, pinched the ball on the edge of our box and set Garnacho away, busting a gut to get up with him and make it two-v-one.

Alejandro fed the Ivorian the ball and, just as the Old Trafford crowd urged him to shoot, time stood still.

That moment of silence between shouting “go on!” to when the ball ripples the net has to be up there with the greatest in the beautiful game.

Amad produced a left-footed shot that seemingly went in slow motion across Caoimhin Kelleher and towards the far corner.

‘It’s hitting the post,’ I thought, and it did just that, but the ball simply gave it a light kiss on its way into the net, prompting the wildest scenes I have ever seen in M16. People were jumping on one another, others kissed people they had only met that very afternoon and even in the press box there were some who shot up in jubilation.

You can forgive most fans inside the ground if they didn’t even know Amad was given his second yellow card and dismissed for his emotional celebration; it was simply pandemonium!

The full-time whistle prompted further cheers and applause. We were going to Wembley – and to make things even sweeter, Liverpool were not.

Leaving the stadium later that day, it still hadn’t sunk in.

“I still can’t believe it,” said fellow United reporter Adam Marshall.

He has seen some unbelievable matches at Old Trafford in the past, but believed what we saw on Sunday afternoon may just top the lot.

I’d grown up hearing about ‘Fergie time’ and the implausible comebacks this club have produced in the past.

To be in the stadium to witness such a historic victory is something I will always cherish. I’m sure a lot of United supporters feel the same way.

The opinions in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of Manchester United Football Club.