Manchester United surprises Manchester City in the FA Cup on Saturday by defeating overwhelming favorites Manchester City 2-1 and preventing its crosstown rival from winning back-to-back league and cup doubles.
In soccer, a week is an extended period. Manchester City was prepared to bring the brilliant season to a close at Wembley with another trophy after securing a remarkable fourth straight Premier League title on Sunday.
Before the game, there was a feeling that the outcome was inevitable because United had fallen short in six of its previous seven meetings with City and four of its last five championship games, while City was having another outstanding season.
But United stunned the Premier League winner with two goals in quick succession in the first half, one from Alejandro Granacho and the other from Kobbie Mainoo. According to statisticians Opta, this is the first men’s FA Cup final featuring two teenage goal scorers.
After City pressed harder in the second half, producing multiple chances that André Onana’s outstanding saves or the woodwork could not let go, Jeremy Doku struck in the 87th minute to cut United’s lead in half and set up a wild seven minutes of stoppage time.
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Despite the historic club’s frequently struggling season, United managed to hold onto its hard-earned lead, and at the final whistle, its bench poured onto the field to celebrate winning a trophy.
As Prince William, the Football Association’s president, gave them the trophy and Prince George stood by to observe, their celebrations continued.
Highlights of manchester united surprising manchester city in the fa cup final
Manchester city got trash by their opponent Manchester united in fa cup final on Saturday.
Following the game, captain Bruno Fernandes told the BBC, “It was the last chance to get something positive from the season.” “We had to watch them go up and win the trophy last season because we weren’t good enough.”
It is vital for all individuals. We all deserve this because we know the manager, along with the players and the backroom crew, is under a lot of scrutiny.
Manchester United surprises Manchester City management
Before the game, rumors and reports abounded over United manager Erik ten Hag’s future and whether he would be fired regardless of the outcome of the FA Cup. The Dutchman has been in charge of United for two years, and despite a bright beginning, he still needs to turn around the team’s declining fortunes. This season, United finished eighth in the Premier League, the lowest ever.
The setting for the championship match was similar to that of 2016, when Louis van Gaal, one of Ten Hag’s predecessors, was fired shortly after winning the FA Cup final.
Eight years have passed since then, and eleven have passed since the iconic manager Alex Ferguson retired. United has still been unable to find the winning formula that propelled them to prominence as the Premier League’s top team in the 1990s and 2000s.
Instead, Ten Hag risks continuing the never-ending cycle of hiring and firing managers once every few years, even in light of the shocking outcome.
He was anxious on the touchline as he watched City control possession in the opening exchanges, using their signature tactic of wearing the opponent down with pure power. However, this time, they were unable to penetrate the United defense.
Instead, United seized the lead early on, taking advantage of a rare error made by City’s keeper, Stefan Ortega, who miscommunicated with Josko Gvardiol, allowing Gvardiol to head the ball over the net for a clear opportunity to tap it in.
Marcus Rashford appeared to have doubled United’s advantage seven minutes later, but the goal was disallowed because he was offside. Nevertheless, it made little difference. United found the back of the net after just two more minutes.
Just past the halfway line, Rashford floated the ball downfield, finding Garnacho on the opposite flank, who then played inside to Fernandes in the middle of the box.
The captain of United touched the ball carefully to Mainoo, who finished with style to give his team a 2-0 lead at halftime.
Manchester City never quite got back into its regular flow, appearing astonished. Before Doku scored, Erling Haaland had a chance but missed the woodwork, and Julián Álvarez took a shot that went wide.
Nevertheless, it was too little, too late, as City suffered a rare setback that ended another brilliant, historic season. However, it ended with just one trophy rather than the three it won the previous year.
Credit: CNN
