FA CUP FINAL – MANCHESTER UNITED DOMINATES MANCHESTER CITY (2-1) AND WINS THE TROPHY
A derby won and a trophy secured to conclude the season in style. Manchester United came out on top against Manchester City (2-1) this Saturday afternoon in the FA Cup final. The Red Devils surprised the Citizens in the first half with goals from Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo. Jérémy Doku reduced the deficit at the end of the match, but it was too late for City.
What a revenge for the Red Devils! Defeated by Manchester City at the same stage of the competition last season, Manchester United overcame their neighbor and rival in the FA Cup final this Saturday (2-1). Erik ten Hag’s players won the 13th FA Cup in the club’s history, while the Citizens, recent Premier League champions, missed the chance to achieve the league and cup double for the second consecutive time.
The Dutch coach successfully executed his tactical plan against Pep Guardiola. While the British press reported that the United board did not intend to keep him regardless of the final’s outcome, the coach ignored the rumors to thwart his Spanish counterpart’s strategy. In the first half, the Red Devils’ defense blocked the Skyblues’ spaces. Limited to three shots with only one on target, City was never able to threaten André Onana. The offensive quartet of Bernardo Silva, Kevin De Bruyne, Phil Foden, and Erling Haaland seemed uninspired.
United took advantage to surprise the four-time reigning champions of England. On a long ball into space for Alejandro Garnacho, Manuel Akanji and Stefan Ortega miscommunicated, with the former playing the latter at the wrong time. The Argentine forward capitalized to open the scoring into the empty net (1-0, 30′). Riding their momentum, the Red Devils doubled their lead a few minutes later thanks to Kobbie Mainoo. Set up in the box by Garnacho, Bruno Fernandes cleverly laid the ball off to the young English international, who finished with a well-placed shot (2-0, 39′).
With the introductions of Jérémy Doku at halftime and Julian Alvarez at the 56th minute, Manchester City regained their composure in the second half. Stirring things up on his left side, the former Rennes player eventually found the breakthrough late in the match. After a cut inside near the edge of the box, the Belgian perfectly placed his shot low into the corner past Onana, giving his team hope (2-1, 87′).
With the introductions of Jérémy Doku at halftime and Julian Alvarez at the 56th minute, Manchester City regained their composure in the second half. Stirring things up on the left wing, the former Rennes player eventually found the breakthrough late in the match. After a cut inside near the edge of the box, the Belgian perfectly placed his shot low into the corner past Onana, giving his team hope (2-1, 87′).
