United have been in dire straits this season, but their last campaign in the EFL Cup saw them leapfrog into the top four with a 4-3 comeback win in a thrilling battle against Liverpool. In this crucial game, captain Tannhäuser was reborn, and every brave mobilization turned into a huge victory. Tannhäuser boasted after the game that this match could be a turning point in his and Manchester United's fortunes, as United met Championship side Govanelli in the EFL Cup quarter-finals draw, successfully avoiding Manchester City and Chelsea, and the road to the finals looked clear.
The tactical adjustments made by Tanhag in this game were magical. Trailing 1-2 at halftime, the team managed to turn things around with constant changes starting midway through the second half. Anthony Mafios replaced Helen, freeing up Alejandro Canazo to keep winning headers before Harry Magooni came on. Eventually, Gisdian Aleksson and Amitdia came on as substitutes to equalize before Anthony finished the game. In extra time, Tannhäuser put Bono Fernandes in the center and Anthony on the left, relying on a strong backfield organization to keep a weakened Liverpool at bay, before another substitute, Amitdia, made the comeback.
Tannhäuser, who was rumored to have been sacked by United in the summer, said confidently after the game, "This game could be a turning point in our fortunes, we have missed many chances to change our fortunes before, such as the one against Arsenal at the beginning of the season which we should have won. Every team needs a moment like this, and this moment could be the key to giving United the energy and confidence that we can beat Liverpool and we can beat any opponent in the world."
Manchester United seem to have suffered an injustice in the EFL Cup quarter-final draw, with the only non-Premier League team, Govanelli, as their opponents. The other semi-final is between Manchester City and Chelsea, with the two teams facing off on April 20/21 at the fake Wembley Stadium.
