Manchester United’s fall interrupted with FA Cup win over Manchester City

The Premier League’s eighth-place team had a lot riding on its FA Cup fixture Saturday: a Europa League spot, the chance to solidify its manager’s standing and, perhaps above all else, a bit of pride on the line — because this team is Manchester United.

United, one of the world’s most vaunted and valuable franchises, has fallen on hard times, from its worst Premier League showing since 1990 to being supplanted by rival Manchester City. But after meeting in the FA Cup final for the second straight year, United unexpectedly stunned its rival, scoring twice in the first half to top City, 2-1, at Wembley Stadium.