Manchester United saved their best performance of a mediocre season to the very end as they upset Manchester City 2-1 in the FA Cup final on Saturday to deprive their rivals of the double.
With speculation swirling about the future of manager Erik ten Hag, United ripped up the form book as first-half goals from teenagers Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo proved enough for them to lift the trophy for a 13th time.
They had to endure a second-half siege, however, as City swarmed forward and a late goal by Jeremy Doku set up a nerve-shredding finale before United could celebrate their first FA Cup final triumph for eight years.
Bruno and the boss! 🏆#MUFC || #FACupFinal pic.twitter.com/NwY5F7SVuR
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) May 25, 2024
Of the win, Garnacho says: “Incredible. Nobody believed in us. But we’re a team, all together. We fought, the game of our lives.”
United coach Erik ten Hag’s future was clouded in uncertainty during the buildup to the game, with reports that the showpiece would be his last game in charge, whatever the outcome.
What a moment 🍾❤️#MUFC || #FACupFinal pic.twitter.com/IoBJszfd1k
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) May 26, 2024
POV: You're on the pitch seconds after we won the #FACup 🤳![CDATA[]]>😍#MUFC || #FACupFinal pic.twitter.com/K6icx8znAR
Happy Sunday, Reds ☺️#MUFC || #FACupFinal pic.twitter.com/cfAX0lK99J
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) May 26, 2024
But he could smile at the end as he led his players up the Wembley steps with his name being sung by United’s ecstatic fans.
A delighted Ten Hag says of his uncertain future at the club and rumours that his bosses want him out: “When I started here, I said I’m here to win, also I want to build a team. Both I’m doing. If they don’t want me, I go anywhere else and do what I did my whole career, winning games and trophies.”
City coach Pep Guardiola, meanwhile, says of the loss: “Congratulations to Manchester United for winning the FA Cup. I think my game plan was not good.”
🏆![CDATA[]]>🎉![CDATA[]]>🏆![CDATA[]]>🎉![CDATA[]]>🏆![CDATA[]]>🎉![CDATA[]]>🏆@PepTeam 🩵 pic.twitter.com/KRDVCWPVav
— Manchester City (@ManCity) May 26, 2024