FA Cup final | Manchester City vs Manchester United | May 2024
With sunshine accompanying a packed Wembley stadium, Manchester United locked horns with Manchester City for a second successive FA Cup showdown.
The encounter, overshadowed by recent reports of the imminent departure of Erik ten Hag from Old Trafford, promised to be a fiery encounter, with rapturous travelling support for both.
City were gunning to complete back-to-back domestic doubles, while United aimed to end their forgettable campaign with a first FA Cup success since 2016.
Erik ten Hag named a changed starting XI, which saw Marcus Rashford and Raphael Varane return from the opening whistle, with Amad Diallo and Rasmus Hojlund dropping to the bench. Caemiro did not make the team sheet due to a late complication.
The Blues were without goalkeeper Ederson – missing through injury – with Stefan Ortega starting behind a familiar outfield lineup that included Kevin De Bruyne, Phil Foden and Erling Haaland.
A scintillating opening half for United
City scored after 12 seconds in last year’s final – setting a new FA Cup final record in the process – it was imperative to avoid a repeat!
Rashford sent shivers down the spines of Guardiola’s defence within the opening minute – highlighting his blistering speed to get on the end of a long ball from his defensive third. Kyle Walker was a match to sweep up.
From the resulting clearance, Haaland was down inside the area following a coming together with the returning Lisandro Martinez. VAR consulted, and play continued.
The following passages saw minutes of controlled possession from both sides, with United’s number 10 twice looking to break the lines – an intriguing battle between himself and Walker.
Ten Hag’s side looked confident and played themselves out of their half with style and composure, inevitably ending in their first shot on target from Garnacho after nine minutes. Positive from the Reds.
United were happy to sit deep – frustrating their rivals, comfortably marshalling any attacks, and always offering threats on the counter.
After 18 minutes, Pep’s outfit enjoyed 64% of the ball but could only muster one shot off target. The game plan, for now, was working for the Dutchman.
The Reds were playing like a side embracing the occasion, and the menace in transition was evident.
With 25 minutes on the clock, City attempted to increase the tempo and create space behind the Reds backline – but they couldn’t crack the code.
The 20-times-champions of England were tight, compact and structured in their organisation. For the critics that lament the United chief daily, he was winning the tactical duel against his managerial foe.
His side took a deserved lead through the impressive Alejandro Garnacho after 30 minutes.
The usually reliable Josko Gvardiol got ahead of the winger to deal with an overhead pass. Much to the dismay of the Blues in attendance, he headed the ball over the onrushing Ortega, with the Argentine on hand to slot home into an empty net.
Guardiola’s side had to respond and mustered their first effort on target after 36 minutes from distance from Bernardo Silva. It was easy for Onana to deal with.
United doubled their lead after 40 minutes through a scintillating passage of play.
It was champagne football from a side oozing with confidence, with great work from Garnacho on the right to Bruno Fernandes in the box, who acutely laid it off to Mainoo – with the teen sensation slotting home.
With the whistle for half-time, the Red side of Manchester departed for the dressing room in the knowledge that having your preferred central defence available can indeed make a difference – what could have been, eh?
Two contrasting goals were the story of the half. Manchester United deserve recognition for a magnificent 45 minutes, and Pep had it all to do at the break.
A second half of determination and structure
A team has come from two goals down at half-time to win the FA Cup on four occasions – last completed when Arsenal defeated Hull a decade ago.
City introduced Jeremy Doku and Manuel Akanji in place of Nathan Ake and Mateo Kovacic. Unsurprisingly, Ten Hag opted to make no changes.
The Blues needed to increase the tempo to reclaim the bragging rights on the day, and their players responded.
Doku is a threatening sight for any defence, and the Belgian immediately increased the attacking onslaught on the wing.
Haaland rattled the bar after increased pressure in the 55 minutes. City’s attacks were coming down the left flank and they forced the game’s opening corner after 56 minutes.
De Bruyne took the corner and was replaced by Julián Álvarez – Guardiola looking infuriated on the touchline.
The pressure continued, and United absorbed it. Walker – performing superbly in defence, sized a long-range effort after 59 minutes – producing a phenomenal save from Onana.
He had little to do approaching an hour but was more than a match on this occasion.
Wan-Bissaka, ever the specialist in one-on-one scenarios, grew to the task of Doku – nullifying his threat after 20 minutes of second-half play.
Guardiola has kicked every ball on the touchline. In contrast, Ten Hag looked calm and composed.
City had perhaps their best chance after 64 minutes and probably should have got one back. Foden picked out the run of Álvarez in the area, but the World Cup winner dragged his effort wide.
With players beginning to tire, United threatened on the break – much as they did throughout the first half. Garnacho forced a save after 68 minutes of play, earning their first corner of the game.
Martinez and Rashford made way for Jonny Evans and Hojlund after 73 minutes played – both players gave their all throughout and were becoming leggy following individual battles with recent injuries.
Walker and the Argentine shared some words which required separation, with the Englishman infuriated by his lack of pace in exiting the field.
The full-back made his way down the field and, possibly in frustration, released another long-range effort on goal. But, once again, he was denied by the imperious Onana in goal – with the Cameroonian getting down well one-handed.
Despite United seeming in complete control, Doku – thus far unable to impose himself on the United defence, took a long-range pop on goal after 87 minutes, with the impressive Onana failing to deal with a routine save.
Three minutes plus injury time to play, and City had a lifeline.
The champions were starting to believe they could get back into this, with an additional seven minutes of injury time confirmed.
It was unbearable for both sides of support – with the atmosphere at a fever pitch.
Victor Lindelof and Mason Mount entered the field after 93 minutes, with McTominay and Garnacho making way for what Ten Hag hoped would be the final four minutes.
With two minutes to play, teen sensation Mainoo was awarded a deserved Player of the Match award – a further indication of his undeniably bright future.
United poured forward in the final minute with an efficient break from a City attack – with Hojlund earning a free kick.
The referee signalled the end of proceedings immediately afterwards, with scenes of joy bursting onto the field.
For Manchester United and Erik ten Hag, it is a beautiful ending to a forgettable campaign – with victory ensuring European Qualification for next season’s Europa League.
The win seals FA Cup number 13 for the Reds and domestic Cup number two for Ten Hag.
A deserving result that follows a magnificent performance, and the Old Trafford outfit reigns supreme in the capital.
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