Man City vs Man United LIVE: FA Cup final result and final score as Kobbie Mainoo goal wins it at Wembley
Manchester United ended a poor season on a huge high as Erik ten Hag ignored intense speculation about his future to mastermind a shock FA Cup final win against rivals Manchester City
Manchester United saved their best performance of a mediocre season to the very end as they upset Manchester City 2-1 in the FA Cup final on Saturday to deprive their rivals of the double.
With speculation swirling about the future of manager Erik Ten Hag, United ripped up the form book as first-half goals from teenagers Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo proved enough for them to lift the trophy for a 13th time.
They had to endure a second-half siege, however, as City swarmed forward and a late goal by Jeremy Doku set up a nerve-shredding finale before United could celebrate at Wembley.
Premier League champions City, bidding to become the first club to win the double in successive seasons, had been on a 35-match unbeaten run in all competitions in open play.
But they were well below their best in the first half, gifting Garnacho a 30th-minute opener before Mainoo made it 2-0.
City woke up in the second half and Erling Haaland hit the crossbar, but they had to wait until the 87th minute for substitute Doku to halve the deficit.
United hung on, however, to seal the best result of Ten Hag’s two-season reign and qualification for next season’s Europa League.
HT - City 0-2 United
“Simple, brilliant, effective.” Plenty of praise from Roy Keane over that second goal for United, talking on ITV.
“This isn’t a performance I’m used to seeing from Man City but you’ve got to give credit for United,” adds Joleon Lescott.
HT - City 0-2 United
Well, that’s a scoreline at the break that few would have expected. City dominant early on but not creating much, let the game drift...then one error and one brilliant move and United are two goals clear.
Garnacho and Mainoo the scorers and it’s 2-0 to the Red Devils.
45+1’ - City 0-2 United
Yellow card for Mainoo for a late slide through the back of De Bruyne. He claims he got the ball but certainly only because he went through the midfielder’s heels.
Two minutes added on.
44’ - City 0-2 United
City trying to up the tempo now as we head towards the break but they’ve left it somewhat late - from comfort to consternation as United strike twice.
Onana has only really had to make one routine save.
GOAL! 39’ - City 0-2 United
Scenes at Wembley! United are two up! This one’s all of their own making and it’s a great move.
Mainoo to Rashford, he lashes a switch to Garnacho opposite side, he passes to Fernandes on the edge of the box and his glanced pass finds an unmarked Mainoo behind Walker - and side-foots a perfect finish low past Ortega and into the net.
Man City 0, Man United 2. Sensational goal.
38’ - City 0-1 United
VAR will check this but it looks offside - Garnacho springs past his man from a ball from deep, rolls it across and Rashford taps home, but everyone knows it’s offside this time. Flag up, quick check, on we go.
City have been served enough warnings though.
34’ - City 0-1 United
Well, now we’ll see if City can raise their game. They’ve had all the ball but few openings - good defensive shape from United so far.
Garnacho made the most of his opportunity handed to him by Gvardiol - quite a bit of that mix-up on Ortega too mind.
De Bruyne and Haaland try to combine on the edge of the box but again it’s a compact midfield and they can’t get through the centre.
GOAL! 29’ - City 0-1 United
Out of nowhere, the most absurd error and United are ahead! Another simple long ball, Gvardiol has the pace to beat Garnacho - but doesn’t look where his keeper is, nods the ball straight over Ortega who is rushing out and Garnacho has a beautifully easy task to tap in from seven yards out with an empty net! 1-0 to United!
28’ - City 0-0 United
Kovacic and Foden exchange passes at ridiculous speed to break into the box - but the eventual cutback is behind Haaland and United clear. The striker is then the target once more for a cross from the right but Varane heads away this time.
For a fourth time, Walker beats Rashford for speed and recovers behind a high ball - United’s only real outlet so far, going long down the left!
24’ - City 0-0 United
Walker is left floored after winning an aerial challenge seconds after Ortega and Kovacic almost played themselves into trouble inside their own box. Haaland then speeds away on the counter and is brought down by Dalot - free-kick given and should probably be a card, but nothing shown.
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