Manchester United and beleaguered manager Erik ten Hag defied the odds
and their critics to pull off a stunning FA Cup final victory over hot
favourites Manchester City at Wembley.
Ten Hag went into this
Manchester derby final with the growing expectation that he will be
sacked by United’s new co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe, irrespective of the
outcome.
If Ten Hag is to be dismissed, he will be going out on
the back of the finest day of his two-year reign and United’s finest
moment for years following a performance that was virtually
unrecognisable from the dismal fare they have served up this season.
United’s
triumph, which denied Premier League champions City a second successive
domestic double, was built on an outstanding first-half display that
brought goals from Alejadro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo.
Garnacho
was the beneficiary of a mix-up between City keeper Stefan Ortega and
Josko Gvardiol as he was left with an open goal on the half-hour while
Mainoo crowned a sweeping move with a calm finish from Bruno Fernandes’
delicate touch nine minutes later.
City inevitably applied
pressure in the second half, Erling Haaland hitting the frame of the
goal, United keeper Andre Onana saving superbly from Kyle Walker and
Julian Alvarez missing a great chance.
City substitute Jeremy
Doku pulled one back with four minutes left but Ten Hag's side held firm
to record a famous victory and win a 13th FA Cup, their first since
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