Manchester United secure a sensational 2-1 win over their rivals Manchester City in the FA Cup final at Wembley Stadium.
The Red Devils opened the scoring in the first half after a costly error from Gvardiol, with Garnacho latching on to a loose header and firing into an empty net.
Later in the half, United found themselves two in front, with Fernandes finding Mainoo with a clever reversed pass, and the young midfielder slotted into the bottom corner from inside the penalty area.
Your 2023/24 FA Cup winners…
🏆 MANCHESTER UNITED! 🏆#MUFC || #FACupFinal pic.twitter.com/UURrGlxqiz
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) May 25, 2024
After the break, Guardiola’s side continued to dominate the possession, but they struggled to find a breakthrough until late on. Doku, who came off the bench to cause United problems at the break, drifted in from the left and fired into the bottom corner from the edge of the box.
Despite a late onslaught from City, Ten Hag’s men managed to hold on, ending the season on a high with the FA Cup. It was a fantastic performance from United, who thoroughly deserve to be lifting the trophy at Wembley.
Despite being shown no respect by his INEOS bosses, who have been speaking to other coaches about the prospect of replacing the Dutchman, Ten Hag produced a perfect game-plan and did something that no other coach has managed since Unai Emery in December, to beat City in 90 minutes.
Kobbie Mainoo and Alejandro Garnacho were the stars of this cup shock, which was made in United’s academy. But Lisandro Martinez and Raphael Varane also played crucial rules in shutting out City for most of the game until Jeremy Doku caused the Red Devils a late scare.
Doku was the only City attacker who can be pleased with his performance as Erling Haaland, Kevin De Bruyne and Julian Alvarez all struggled to turn up or take their chances. Pep Guardiola’s side were overwhelming favourites, with some bookmakers offering odds of 7/1 for a United triumph, but they couldn’t handle the Red Devils, who wrecked their hopes of becoming the first team in English football history to win back-to-back doubles.
MASSIVE EFFORTS 🔋
MASSIVE REWARDS 🏆#MUFC || #FACupFinal pic.twitter.com/hl0cM712VB— Manchester United (@ManUtd) May 25, 2024
Manchester United have won the FA Cup for the 13th time, with only Arsenal (14) winning the competition on more occasions than the Red Devils.
This was Manchester City’s ninth major final in domestic and European cup competitions under Pep Guardiola (FA Cup, League Cup & UEFA Champions League) and just the second time they’ve failed to be crowned champions, also losing the 2021 UEFA Champions League final against Chelsea.
Four of the last five goals scored by teenagers in FA Cup finals have been netted by Manchester United players (Norman Whiteside in 1983, Cristiano Ronaldo in 2004 and Alejandro Garnacho/Kobbie Mainoo today).
