Manchester City vs Manchester United FA Cup Final Report

Scorers: Doku 87’; Garnacho 30’, Mainoo 39’

Manchester United clinched their 13th FA Cup win with a 2-1 victory against Manchester City, marking a significant triumph in what could be Erik ten Hag’s final game as their manager.

The FA Cup final, held at Wembley Stadium under sunny skies, saw United bounce back from early pressure to dominate the first half with decisive goals.

Early Dynamics and United’s Breakthrough

The match kicked off with an intense pace as Alejandro Garnacho tested City’s goalkeeper Stefan Ortega early on. Manchester City seemed poised to control the game after stabilising from a shaky start. However, United struck first. Garnacho capitalised on a defensive mix-up between Joško Gvardiol and Ortega, tapping into an empty goal to give United the lead.

United’s Commanding First Half

Building on their opener, United displayed a fluid and confident playstyle, culminating in their second goal. A well-orchestrated sequence involving Marcus Rashford and Garnacho allowed Bruno Fernandes to set up Kobbie Mainoo.

The young midfielder’s precise finish into the far corner doubled United’s advantage, highlighting their effective counter-attacking approach.

City’s Fightback and United’s Resilience

In response, Guardiola introduced Jérémy Doku in the second half, seeking to inject dynamism into City’s gameplay. The substitution nearly paid off when Erling Haaland hit the crossbar, signalling a shift in momentum.

City intensified their efforts, with Doku eventually scoring from the edge of the box to reduce the deficit.

Despite late pressure from City, United’s defence, anchored by goalkeeper André Onana, held firm. Onana’s critical saves and United’s collective defensive effort thwarted further attempts from City, ensuring that United secured the prestigious trophy.

Reflections on the Victory

This victory not only secures a significant silverware for Manchester United but also serves as a morale booster after their challenging Premier League campaign.

For Manchester City, the loss means missing out on an unprecedented back-to-back league and FA Cup double.

As the season concludes, United’s win adds a historic note to their storied rivalry with City, while both teams look ahead to the challenges of the next season.

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Fixtures – Emirates FA Cup – Competitions | The Football Association