Manchester United Stun Rivals To Lift FA Cup

(Reuters)

With Erik Ten Hag at the wheel for what could be his last game in charge, The Red Devils’ defied the odds as they beat rivals Manchester City 2-1 at a packed out Wembley Stadium to lift their 13th FA Cup trophy, and first since 2015.

First half goals from Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo, and some poor finishing from City secured United the win and a place in the Europa League next season.

It was Manchester City who came out the starting blocks as Haaland sought a penalty in the opening minute as United’s defence prevented him from heading the ball towards goal. Guardiola’s side continued to keep possession as PFA Player of the Year Phil Foden hit the side netting following an inviting ball at the back post from Bernardo Silva.

Manchester United grew into the game as the front line began to press. They were rewarded for their efforts on the half hour mark as Diogo Dalot’s cross forward caused havoc on the edge of the box with miscommunication between defender Josko Gvardiol and keeper Stefan Ortega allowing GARNACHO to tap into an empty net.

City responded well but failed to test Andre Onana in goal as a tame effort from Silva was easily collected. United’s Garnacho appeared to beat the offside trap as he advanced on the right before squaring to Marcus Rashford in the middle who guided the ball into the net but was correctly ruled out by the on-pitch officials for offside.

The United crowd didn’t have to wait long to celebrate a second goal as in the 39th minute, Garnacho found Bruno Fernandes free on the edge of the box, his first time pass found MAINOO who calmly slotted the ball into the bottom right corner.

There was double change at the break for City as Guardiola looked for a reaction with Nathan Ake and Mateo Kovacic making way for Akanji and Jeremy Doku. Rodri tried his luck from his own half as he spotted Onana off his line but failed to hit the target.

Substitute Doku brought a spark to City’s attack as he provided Foden and Haaland with chances in quick succession, but the England International scuffed his shot before the latter smashed his effort against the crossbar.

On the hour mark, Kyle Walker tried his luck from distance and forced Onana into a strong save. The subsequent corner found substitute Julian Alvarez on the edge of the box but his effort skied the woodwork.

Minutes later, Alvarez was through one-on-one with Onana as Foden played a pass through United’s defence but Alvarez could only curl his effort wide. Doku advanced into the box but saw his shot into the far post deflected wide.

Walker, again, struck from distance but his shot was pushed around the post by Onana. United continued to have chances of their own as a low free-kick from Fernandes fell straight to Ortega.

With three minutes of normal time remaining, City reduced the deficit as DOKU cut inside on the right before firing an effort low into the near post; Onana got his hand to it but failed to keep it out.

In injury time, Akanji blazed his effort over the woodwork from distance. United went on the counter attack in the 97th minute as Ramus Hojlund advanced forward before winning a free-kick with Andy Madley blowing for full time after.

City XI: Ortega, Walker, Gvardiol, Kovačić (sub 46min, Doku), Stones, Aké (sub 46min, Akanji), Bernardo Silva, Rodri, Haaland, De Bruyne (sub 56min Álvarez), Foden.

Unused Subs: Dias, Grealish, Nunes, Carson, Bobb, Lewis.

United XI: Onana, Wan-Bissaka, Dalot, Mainoo, Varane, Martínez (sub 75min, Evans), Garnacho (sub 90+3min, Lindelöf), Amrabat, McTominay (sub 90+3min, Mount), Fernandes, Rashford (sub 74min, Højlund).

Unused Subs: Bayındır, Eriksen, Diallo, Antony, Kambwala.

Half Time: Manchester City 0-2 Manchester United

Full Time: Manchester City 1-2 Manchester United

Referee: Andy Madley

Attendance: 84,814