Manchester United’s Victory Over Manchester City to Win FA Cup 2024
Manchester United clinched their first silverware of the season by defeating Manchester City 2-1 in a thrilling FA Cup final at Wembley on Saturday.
With United’s first trophy of the year, crosstown rival City was denied the opportunity to win the English league and cup twice in a row.
The final was a rematch of the one City won 2-1 the year before, and Pep Guardiola’s squad refused to give up the prize easily.
Alejandro Garnacho scored the first goal in the thirty-first minute following errors made by goalkeeper Stefan Ortega and City defender Josko Gvardiol.
Manager Erik ten Hag, whose position was under close scrutiny heading into the final, was ecstatic when Kobbie Mainoo added a second goal in the 39th.
United led 1-0 at the break, but City increased their pressure in the second half and eventually tied the score in the 87th minute on a long-range effort into the bottom corner by replacement Jeremy Doku.
By then, Erling Haaland had struck the crossbar, Kyle Walker had made two tremendous saves from goalie Andre Onana, and replacement Julian Alvarez had missed the mark at close range with just the keeper to beat.
United has won 13 FA Cups overall, one fewer than Arsenal’s record of 14. And after winning the League Cup the previous year, this is Ten Hag’s second trophy from the club in as many years. After the final whistle, the Dutchman was greeted by players and staff on the field, capping off a difficult campaign on a positive note.
The British millionaire Jim Ratcliffe and the American co-owners Joel and Avram Glazer were in attendance at United. Ten Hag had managed United’s worst league season in thirty-four years, therefore speculation about his future dominated the build-up, and it was widely assumed he would lose his job regardless of the outcome.
Before the game, he declared, “It’s not about me, it’s about the team and winning the cup.” For City, it was an entirely different story. Having just been the first English team to win four straight titles, they were hoping to create fresh history by winning back-to-back doubles. The FA Cup will not be part of City’s parade in Manchester on Monday to commemorate their historic league victory.
Although United presented the more dangerous attacks and took the lead through Garnacho, City controlled possession for the majority of the first half.
Deep in his own half, the Argentine winger chased onto a hopeful punt from Diogo Dalot, causing panic in City’s defenders. Though Gvardiol reached the ball first, his header past Ortega, the charging City goalkeeper, and found Garnacho with an open goal to tap in.
If the first goal was fortunate, United’s second was the result of a brilliant attack, led by Garnacho, who again played a key role by cutting in from the right side and setting up Bruno Fernandes.
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With a first-time no-look pass from the United skipper, Mainoo coolly tapped past Ortega.
“The season has been difficult, with ups and downs. We have simply got to look forward to this, remarked Mainoo. “We were aware that we needed to unite. This game has been amazingly prepared for. We’ve demonstrated our ability to play and win games.
Manager of Manchester United, Erik ten Hag:
“Congratulations to the entire team. We were excellent at playing our parts. incredibly powerful. You’ve witnessed our ability to play when all of the players are involved. Although several weren’t even match fit, they nevertheless gave excellent performances.
We can play excellent football when our players are healthy, as I have been telling the media all year. An outstanding performance against the world’s top team.
“Local rivalries exist, and playing a team from your own city makes the rivalry much more significant. However, after so many disappointments, our goal was to prove a point, not this. The group displayed incredible resiliency, and I’m happy for them.”
If his team’s criticism has been unjust, then I believe it to be so. The group. And me too. It wasn’t appropriate.However, we were missing the players. We’ve witnessed the same things: while the football wasn’t always good—it was never good—we were constantly forced to make concessions, which prevented us from playing the game we wanted to.
“I think we had the entire squad available three or four times in the last two years. Huge players like Harry Maguire, Luke Shaw, and Casemiro were absent even today.”
Roy Keane Stated
“It was incredible. An authentic Manchester United display.With perseverance, they sat down and produced some excellent football, scoring two goals. Their confidence from the previous two games was high.
“Over the years, I have been critical of Bruno Fernandes, but I have been proven wrong; his leadership was exceptional.” I’ve always talked about what a fantastic player he is.
“It’s about Manchester United, even though it’s been a tough few months and City wasn’t playing at their best. Enjoy these moments, please.
“I’m so happy for United. This morning, I got an odd sense that they would win the cup. I’m happy they did it even though I can’t quite put my finger on it.
“You have to cherish these times even though the league form needs to get better. When you’re a player for Manchester United, you want more of this. The anticipation is there.”
Pep Guardiola, the manager of Man City, accepted responsibility for Saturday’s FA Cup final loss to Man Utd
“Let me start by congratulating Manchester United,” he said at the press conference after the game. “I had a poor game plan. The second part was far superior. We had greater intensity.
“The players are aware of the cause. That wasn’t a good tactic. You had different positions and a game plan, but it didn’t work out. We were in control, as usual against United, but we were unable to create, unlike in the second half.”
“Today, we are not satisfied. Losing in the championship game is common, but this season has been exceptional.”We have spirited competition for every trophy. We must now take a break and return.”
