Manchester United ended their arch-rival Manchester City’s double dream by winning the 2024 FA Cup final at Wembley.
Manchester United won its 13th FA Cup title thanks to a 2-1 win against defending champion Manchester City at Wembley on Saturday. First-half goals from teenagers Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo secured a memorable win for Eric Ten Hag’s side.
Man City dominated possession but struggled to break the United’s defence and the Red side of manchester managed to avenge last year’s final defeat as they were more clinical.
It was the first time two teenagers scored in the men’s FA Cup Final. Kobbie Mainoo (19y 36d) also became the youngest English goalscorer in the match since West Ham’s John Sissons in 1964 (18y 215d).
Manchester United finished eighth in the Premier League table, their worst finish, but now they managed to end their season with a trophy. United now will play in the Europa League next season.
Man City failed to claim the Premier League and FA Cup double for the third time in history and the second consecutive season. Guardiola’s side beat Man United twice in the league this season and had won six of the past seven derby clashes.
Man City vs Man United: FA Cup Final Play-by-Play
Manchester City players wanted a penalty kick after Lisandro Martinez brought down Haaland after just two minutes. However, VAR checked the incident and decided to reject their appeals.
Against the run of play, Man United managed to open the scoring in the 30th minute after a mistake from Gvardiol and Ortega. Gvardiol failed to see Ortega running out of his position and head the ball toward his own goal. The ball reached Garnacho and he slid it into an empty net.
Eighth minutes later, Rashford scored for United after Garnacho’s ball reached him in front of goal. However, it was ruled out due to offside.
Just one minute later, Ten Hag’s side shocked Guardiola’s men and doubled their lead on a quick counter-attack. Rashford found Garnacho who cut in from the right wing and played in Bruno Fernandes. The Portuguese star sent a first-time, no-look pass to Mainoo, who guided a first-time finish beyond Ortega.
Second Half Report
Man City’s best chance came in the 51st minute when the ball reached Haaland inside the box, but the Norwegian was unlucky as his shot hit the crossbar. Kyle Walker came close to scoring with a powerful shot from a distance, but Onana denied him with a stunning save.
Julian Alvarez who had replaced De Bruyne, missed a glorious chance to score in the 64th minute. Foden found him inside the box and the Argentinian had space to put the ball into the back of the net, but his shot went past the far post.
Haaland wanted a penalty after Mainoo took him down in the box before a corner, but the referee declined to give it in the 75th minute.
Man City finally managed to break the deadlock through Doku in the 87th minute. The Belgian winger cut in from the left and his shot from 20-yard out went past Onana at his near post.
