Manchester City faced rivals Manchester United in the FA Cup final today with a double-double on the line at Wembley Stadium. Pep Guardiola’s side, a week on from their fourth successive Premier League title, face a United side low on confidence after a turbulent season under Erik ten Hag.
The Dutchman’s future is under intense speculation, with a summer of change anticipated at Old Trafford, but an unlikely victory over the champions could prove vital to convince Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his team to persevere with him for next season.
“I am just focusing on the job I have to do and that is first win the game on Saturday and then we are in the project,” Ten Hag said when quizzed on his future. “Keep going in the project. I came here to win trophies and Saturday is another opportunity.”
Kick-off at Wembley Stadium at 15:00 BST, live on ITV.
City – Ortega, Walker, Stones, Ake, Gvardiol, Rodri, Kovacic, Silva, De Bruyne, Foden, Haaland
United – Onana, Wan-Bissaka, Varane, Martinez, Dalot, McTominay, Ambrabat, Mainoo, Garnacho, Fernandes, Rashford
GOAL 29’ – Gvardiol’s error gives Garnacho a simple tap-in to put United ahead (0-1)
GOAL 39’ – Mainoo finishes brilliant team move to put United two up (0-2)
GOAL 87’ – Doku beats Onana at the near post to set up the big finale (1-2)
A huge result for United today and quite possibly for Erik ten Hag in particular – we’ll see if it affects the decision for Ineos over whether to keep the boss in charge.
Some frustration and disappointment for City though, who never quite got their game in gear on the day.
“Absolutely delighted. It was such a huge task for Manchester United today to come here and beat the champions and I thought they were absolutely fantastic. The resilience they’ve shown, the work rate, the effort, the desire to score goals. They deserved the victory.” Says Wayne Rooney Applauding the United
If that is to be Erik ten Hag’s final game in charge of Manchester United, what a way to sign off.
Few gave them a chance today but for the vast majority of that game, they were tactically spot on.
Red flags are being waved by the Manchester United fans as their players celebrate on the pitch.
Ten Hag went into this Manchester derby final with the growing expectation that he will be sacked by United’s new co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe, irrespective of the outcome.
If Ten Hag is to be dismissed, he will be going out on the back of the finest day of his two-year reign and United’s finest moment for years following a performance that was virtually unrecognizable from the dismal fare they have served up this season.
United’s triumph, which denied Premier League champions City a second successive domestic double, was built on an outstanding first-half display that brought goals from Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo.
Garnacho was the beneficiary of a mix-up between City keeper Stefan Ortega and Josko Gvardiol as he was left with an open goal on the half-hour while Mainoo crowned a sweeping move with a calm finish from Bruno Fernandes’ delicate touch nine minutes later.
City inevitably applied pressure in the second half, Erling Haaland hitting the frame of the goal, United keeper Andre Onana saving superbly from Kyle Walker, and Julian Alvarez missing a great chance.
City substitute Jeremy Doku pulled one back with four minutes left but Ten Haag’s side held firm to record a famous victory to win the FA Cup for the first time since 2015 and record their 13th win in the competition.
Source – BBC
