LONDON – Manchester United won the FA Cup after surprising defending champions Manchester City 2-1 in the final at Wembley on Saturday.
United’s first title of the season deprived rivals City of their first back-to-back English League Cup doubles. United also qualified for the Europa League next season.
The final was a repeat of last year’s, where City won 2-1, and Pep Guardiola’s team did not give up the trophy without a fight.
Alejandro Garnacho opened the scoring in the 30th minute, after errors by defender Josko Gvardiol and goalkeeper Stefan Ortega.
Kobbie Mainoo then scored the second goal in the 39th minute, sparking passionate celebrations from coach Erik ten Hag, whose work was under intense scrutiny ahead of the final.
United were in control at half-time but City increased the pressure in the second half and finally got back into the game with substitute Jeremy Doku’s long-range shot into the bottom corner in the 87th minute.
By then Erling Haaland had hit the post, Kyle Walker forced goalkeeper Andre Onana into two prolonged saves and substitute Julian Alvarez missed the target from close range with only the keeper to beat.
It is United’s 13th FA Cup, one behind Arsenal’s record of 14. And it is Ten Hag’s second trophy in as many years at the club, after winning the League Cup last year.
Players and staff embraced him on the pitch after the final whistle, as the Dutchman managed to end a troubled campaign on a high note.
Watching were United’s co-owners, Americans Joel and Avram Glazer and British billionaire Jim Ratcliffe.
Speculation over Ten Hag’s future dominated the build-up and it was widely expected he would lose his job regardless of the result after overseeing United’s worst league season for 34 years.
“It’s not about me, it’s about the team and winning the cup,” he said before the game started.
It was a very different story for City. After becoming the first English team to win four consecutive titles, the aim was to set a new standard by completing back-to-back doubles. City’s parade in Manchester on Monday to celebrate historic league success will not include the FA Cup.
City dominated possession in the first half, but United made the more threatening attacks and took the lead through Garnacho.
The Argentine winger caused panic in City’s defense as he chased down Diogo Dalot’s hopeful shot in the middle of the field. Gvardiol was quicker with the ball, but his headed pass went over City goalkeeper Ortega, leaving Garnacho with an open net to score.
If that goal benefited from luck, United’s second came from a shrewd attack, with Garnacho again centrally, as he cut in from the right and put Bruno Fernandes through.
The United captain played a direct pass to Mainoo, who coolly slotted past Ortega.
“It has been a difficult season, with ups and downs. This is the only thing we hope for,” Mainoo said. “We knew we had to come together. The preparation for this game was incredible. We showed that we can compete and win games.”
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James Robson is at https://twitter.com/jamesalanrobson
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AP Football:
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