Man United beats Man City in FA Cup final

In a thrilling FA Cup final, Manchester United emerged victorious over their city rivals Manchester City, clinching the prestigious trophy with a 2-1 win. The match, filled with drama and excitement, showcased the talents of United’s young stars, Kobbie Mainoo and Alejandro Garnacho, who were instrumental in securing the win for Erik ten Hag's side.

Counter attacking Man United

The game kicked off amidst the usual fanfare and traditions, with both teams initially testing each other’s defenses. City, as expected, dominated possession early on, but United’s defensive resilience was evident. The first significant breakthrough came in the 30th minute when a mix-up between City’s Josko Gvardiol and goalkeeper Stefan Ortega allowed Garnacho to capitalize on the mistake. A long ball from Sofyan Amrabat bounced awkwardly, and Gvardiol's poor header back to Ortega left Garnacho with an open goal, which he calmly slotted in, putting United ahead.

City attempted to respond quickly, with Kevin De Bruyne and Bernardo Silva trying to create openings, but United’s defense held firm. The second goal for United came in the 39th minute, a beautifully orchestrated counter-attack. Marcus Rashford found Garnacho on the wing, who then delivered a perfect pass to Bruno Fernandes. Fernandes cleverly set up Mainoo, who finished with precision, giving United a 2-0 lead going into halftime.

City’s fightback attempt

Pep Guardiola made tactical changes at halftime, bringing on Manuel Akanji and Jeremy Doku to replace Nathan Aké and Mateo Kovačić. These changes aimed to inject more energy and creativity into City’s play. The changes seemed promising as City began the second half with renewed vigor. Erling Haaland hit the crossbar in the 55th minute from a Doku assist, and City kept pressing United’s defense.

However, United’s strategy of absorbing pressure and hitting on the counter continued to trouble City. Alejandro Garnacho remained a constant threat, creating several chances, although he couldn’t find the net again. City’s persistence paid off in the 87th minute when Doku himself managed to score. Cutting inside, he struck a low shot that United’s goalkeeper André Onana couldn’t handle, making it 2-1 and setting up a tense finale.

Man United holds firm

As the clock ticked down, City threw everything forward in search of an equalizer. A last-minute attempt by Kyle Walker was blocked, and United's counter-attacking threat led to Rasmus Højlund smartly winning a free-kick, which helped relieve the pressure. With seven minutes of added time, the tension was palpable, but United's defense, marshaled by the experienced Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelöf, stood strong.

Ten Hag’s tactical substitutions, bringing on Højlund and Jonny Evans for Lisandro Martínez and Rashford, provided fresh legs to withstand City's onslaught. The final whistle blew after 98 minutes, confirming Manchester United as the FA Cup champions.

FA Cup final reflections

Manchester United’s victory is a testament to their strategic discipline, youthful energy, and clinical finishing. The contributions of Mainoo and Garnacho, both just nineteen, highlight a promising future for the club. Erik ten Hag’s tactical acumen also played a significant role in outmaneuvering Guardiola’s City, who, despite their possession and chances, couldn’t break through United’s resolute defense enough to alter the final score significantly. For Manchester City, the loss is a tough pill to swallow, especially given their recent domestic dominance. Guardiola’s side showed resilience and skill, but the crucial errors and missed opportunities proved costly. This FA Cup triumph marks a significant achievement for Manchester United, adding another trophy to their illustrious history and giving their fans hope and excitement for the seasons to come. The 2024 Community Shield is now going to be a replay of this match!