London,
Saturday, 25 May, 2024
Manchester United beat Manchester City 2-1 on Saturday afternoon as they saved their season by lifting the FA Cup at Wembley Stadium.
The Red Devils got revenge for defeat to their local rivals in last season’s FA Cup final thanks to goals from Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo, with Jeremy Doku’s late strike unable to spark a dramatic comeback.
It is their 13th FA Cup triumph which guarantees qualification for next season’s Europa League in what could be Erik ten Hag’s final game in charge of the Red Devils, with Man City missing out on a domestic double.
It took just a minute for Man City to threaten the Man Utd backline, with the Premier League champions feeling they should have been awarded an early spot kick. Lisandro Martinez made contact with Erling Haaland in the box following a cross, but referee Andy Madley and his VAR team decided not to intervene.
The pattern of the game was quickly established as Man City stroked the ball around effortlessly in front of a low Man Utd block, but it was Garnacho that produced the first shot on target during a rare foray forward from Erik ten Hag’s side.
While Man City continued to dominate, it was the Red Devils that took a surprise lead in the capital. Guardiola’s side were the masters of their own downfall as Josko Gvardiol headed the ball over his own goalkeeper following a long punt forward, leaving Garnacho to tap into an empty net after Stefan Ortega had rushed off his line.
It took Man Utd less than ten minutes to double their advantage against a stunned and disjointed Man City. Garnacho was at the heart of things yet again as he picked Bruno Fernandes out in the box and the Portuguese’s excellent pass found Mainoo in space, with the 19-year-old curling home from close range.
Man City came within a whisker of reducing the deficit ten minutes after the restart, Haaland wrapping his foot around Jeremy Doku’s pass and rattling the crossbar. Kyle Walker was next to fire at Andre Onana’s goal with a venomous long-range effort, but the Man Utd stopper matched it with a strong palm.
The Citzyens began to flex their attacking muscles as the game wore on and substitute Julian Alvarez was next to concern the Man Utd defence. The World Cup winner was sent through on goal but scuffed a tame effort wide of Onana’s far post with the goal gaping.
Just as the hopes and dreams of Man City fans began to fade, Doku brought them back to life. The winger cut inside and rifled an effort at Onana’s near post, with the Cameroonian unable to keep out what should have been a fairly routine effort.
However, Man Utd held on for a famous victory despite some late pressure, and they were good value for a memorable FA Cup final victory against their fierce foes.