After 8-year hiatus, Manchester United lift their 13th FA Cup in nail biting derby with City

Manchester United got the better of their noisy neighbours at the Wembley Stadium on Saturday when they defeated the defending champions Manchester City 2-1 to clinch their first FA Cup trophy in eight years. Overall, it was the Red Devil’s 13^th FA Cup triumph, only one short of Arsenal, the most successful club to grab the 153-year-old English domestic football tournament.

Manchester City were the favourites for this entertaining fixture considering their performance in the season concluded and quite expectedly they started well, playing number of short passes and keeping a healthy possession what they usually do. However, despite the domination and superior ball control, they were unable to create any clear cut opportunities due to the adamant defensive display of Erik Ten Hag’s United.

How has Bruno Fernandes seen Kobbie Mainoo here!? #EmiratesFACup pic.twitter.com/0Kc6ky3quZ

— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) May 26, 2024

On the other hand, Manchester United’s strategy was evident — make a solid defence and create opportunities in the counter. They were mainly attacking from the right flank where Ten Hag deployed Alejandro Garnacho and combining with him Marcus Rashford and Bruno Fernandes were causing trouble for Pep Guardiola’s men.

On the half hour-mark the deadlock was broken when a diagonal long ball from Diogo Dalot was received by Manchester City left back Josko Gvardiol outside the penalty box and while the Croatian tried to head it back to his own goalie Stefan Ortega who was also charging towards the ball and entirely out of position, the ball fell to Garnacho’s feet and the Argentine simply tapped it home, capitalising the opposition error.

Glory, Glory Man United @ManUtd claimed the bragging rights of Manchester by beating their city rivals @ManCity 2-1 to avenge their 2023 EmiratesFACup Final defeat to City pic.twitter.com/fsAfIqCh5n

— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) May 25, 2024

If the first goal was gifted by Manchester City players, the second goal was a creation of Manchester United’s own classic counter attack. Again at the right wing, Garnacho received a long ball from Rashford, played it in the centre where Bruno Fernandes’ sublime flick reached unmarked Kobbie Mainoo who made no mistake to double the lead on the 39^th minute. The English teenager who already had a wonderful season, couldn’t had signed it off in a better way.

After the interval, Guardiola brought in winger Jeremy Doku in the left flank which he also did in the semi-final against Chelsea. Though Manchester City increased their attacking penetration, creating greater chances and hitting the cross bar they failed to register a goal denting the United defence, not to mention goalkeeper Andre Onana’s couple of brilliant saves. However, the clean sheet of Manchester United was lost on the 86^th minute when Doku’s right footed effort cutting inside from the left side of the penalty box eventually got inside the net after touching the hands of Onana who should have saved the same.

Former manager Sir Alex Ferguson, shareholder Jim Ratcliffe and many other Manchester United legends were present in the stands and the players on the field didn’t disappoint them as they held on their nerves to protect the slender lead till referee Andrew Madley blew the final whistle. Though manager Erik Ten Hag’s future at Old Trafford is still not certain but as this victory has guaranteed Europa League football next season for United, there is some relief for the time being for every stakeholder of the 146-year-old club.