De Gea Discloses Why He Was Checking His Towel During FA Cup Shootout vs Brighton

• David de Gea was between the sticks for Manchester United during their FA Cup semi-final clash against Brighton
• The tie had to be decided via the shootouts, with the Red Devils emerging victors after Solly March missed his spot-kick
• Erik ten Hag's men are set to face rivals Manchester City in the final of the tournament at Wembley Stadium

David De Gea has opened up on his antics during Manchester United's FA Cup penalty shootouts against Brighton.

United locked horns with the Seagulls in an epic FA Cup semi-final on Sunday, April 23, at Wembley Stadium, with the Red Devils booking a spot in the final.

However, their ticket to the final did not come on a silver platter as they had to labour through the match.

Sky Sports reports both teams settled for a goalless draw during regulation time, with the extra time also failing to produce a winner.

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Brighton's Solly March was the villain after the shootouts as he blazed his effort over the bar to give the Red Devils the advantage.

Victor Lindelof stepped up to fire United to the final, with his well-placed spot-kick helping his side book a date with rivals Manchester City.

De Gea's penalty antics

There was an interesting subplot involving David De Gea during the penalty shootout, with the keeper's bizarre antics leaving fans in stitches.

Eagle-eyed fans were able to spot a hidden paper inside De Gea's towel that he kept referencing during the shootout.

Speaking after the match on his penalty tactics, the Spain international disclosed that he had made prior preparations in the event of a shootout.

“We prepared the penalties as always, I tried to put pressure on each of their takers," De Gea said via Sportbible.

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"Our team took perfect penalties, so we are delighted we are in the final," he added.

Mahrez hits FA Cup milestone

Earlier, Sports Brief reported Manchester City ace Riyad Mahrez set a unique club record thanks to an impressive hat trick against Sheffield United in the FA Cup semifinal on Saturday, April 22.

In a game in which City were heavy favourites, they were kept at bay by The Blades until the 42nd minute, when Mahrez broke the deadlock from the penalty spot.

That was the start of in was going to be an amazing afternoon for the Algerian, who got his second by parting through Sheffield’s defence just after the hour mark.

He completed his hat trick with a powerful first-time finish in the 66th minute after a delightful low cross from Jack Grealish as his goal kept City fans’ hope of a historic treble alive.