Manchester United beat rivals Manchester City to win the FA Cup at the Wembley Stadium on Saturday. Manager Erik ten Hag puts speculation over his future at Old Trafford to one side, as his team beat the Premier League champions 2-1.
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 of the game.
If Ten Hag is to be dismissed, he will be going out on the back of the finest day of his two-year reign. The win also denies Pep Guardiola’s Man City a second successive domestic double.
Alejadro Garnacho opened the scoring for United in the 30th minute, as he benefited from a mix-up between City keeper Stefan Ortega and Josko Gvardiol. Kobbie Mainoo doubled the lead with a calm finish from Bruno Fernandes’ delicate touch nine minutes later.
City inevitably applied pressure in the second half, with Erling Haaland hitting the frame of the goal, United keeper Andre Onana saving superbly from Kyle Walker and Julian Alvarez missing a great chance.
However, Onana couldn’t keep out substitute Jeremy Doku’s strike as City pulled a goal back in the 87th minute to set up a grandstand finish. But the Red Devils held firm to record a famous victory to win the FA Cup for the first time since 2015 and record their 13th win in the competition.
Ten Hag has now added his second piece of silverware, after Carabao Cup win last season. The FA Cup victory also sees United put a disappointing league season behind them by securing a Europa League ticket.
