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Manchester United wins FA Cup final behind teens’ goals: Highlights from win vs. Man City

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Manchester United wins FA Cup final behind teens’ goals: Highlights from win vs. Man City

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Behind two first-half goals from their teenage phenoms, Manchester United defeated rival Manchester City 2-1 in the FA Cup final on Saturday at London’s Wembley Stadium.

Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo scored within 10 minutes of each other to put United ahead 2-0 before halftime. City, the four-time reigning Premier League champions, pulled a goal back via Jeremy Doku in the final minutes of regulation but were unable to find an equalizer.

It’s the 13th time that Manchester United has won the FA Cup in the tournament’s 143-year existence, second only to 14-time champion Arsenal. The victory also earned Manchester United a spot in the 2024-24 UEFA Europa League, Europe’s second-tier club competition.

City, this season’s Premier League champions, were hoping to become the first club to win the domestic double in back-to-back seasons.

Here’s how Saturday’s action unfolded:

FINAL: Manchester United 2, Manchester City 1

United held on for a 2-1 win over their cross-town in the 2024 FA Cup final, claiming the tournament’s trophy for the 13th time in club history. The victory earned United qualification for the 2024-25 UEFA Europa League.

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hagen was thought to be on the hot seat following his club’s disappointing Premier League season and fans will be keeping a close eye on what happens to United’s boss in the days an d weeks to come.

The final minutes of the FA Cup final will be something of a frenzy after Manchester City’s Jérémy Doku scored from outside the area on a low shot that probably should have been stopped by goalkeeper Andre Onana, who was prone to mistakes throughout his first season with United. Game on!

With 10 minutes left of the 90, Manchester City is throwing everything they’ve got at United but have been unable to find a breakthrough. Julian Alvarez came on earlier in the second half for Kevin De Bruyne to give City some more firepower up top.

United goalkeeper Andre Onana made a big save on a long-range effort by City’s Kyle Walker to keep the game 2-0.

Manuel Akanji replaces Nathan Aké in defense for City while winger Jérémy Doku comes on for Mateo Kovacic, a more offensive change by Pep Guardiola trailing 2-0.

In the 55th minute, Man City forward Erling Haaland fired a shot off the crossbar, his team’s best chance of the day so far.

United takes a stunning 2-0 lead into the dressing room after goals from teenagers Alejandro Garnacho (30th minute) and Kobbie Mainoo (39th minute).

Pep Guardiola’s team dominated possession (75%) in the first half but only managed one shot on goal. City are more than capable of digging out of this hole, but United did a great job finding space when their rivals press to get the ball back, particularly on the second goal.

Less than 10 minutes after fellow 19-year-old Alejandro Garnacho put United ahead, Kobbie Mainoo scored to cap off a sweeping counter-attack and make it 2-0, first-timing a shot from close range after a clever pass from captain Bruno Fernandes.

Mainoo played 24 Premier League games for United this season, earning his way into England’s senior national team ahead of this summer’s European Championships.

United’s 19-year-old old winger Alejandro Garnacho pounced on a mistake by City defender Joško Gvardiol, who tried to head the ball back to his goalkeeper in an awkward encounter on a long ball played over the top. City keeper Stefan Ortega had come out to try collecting the ball, allowing Garnacho to slip in behind and score in the 30th minute.

United defender Lisando Martinez collided with City’s Erling Haaland going up for a cross in the opening minutes with the Premier League’s Golden Boot winner hitting the ground hard. City wanted a penalty but a quick VAR check decided that there wasn’t enough there to warrant a spot kick.

City won both meetings between the clubs in the 2023-24 Premier League season after taking last year’s FA Cup final against their rivals.

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag believes his team can salvage what has been a woeful season in Saturday’s FA Cup final against Manchester City, a game steeped in speculation it could be the beleaguered manager’s last with the club.

“It’s all about trophies,” Ten Hag told reporters on Thursday. “We have a huge opportunity to win a trophy.

“In the last 10 years there have not been so many trophies at the club but we have the opportunity to win two in two years,” he added, in reference to last season’s League Cup victory.

The Dutchman declined to answer when he was asked if Saturday could be his final game in charge for United.

“I have nothing to say, I just focus on the job I have to do and that is win the game on Saturday and then we are in the project and keep going in the project,” he said. “I came here to win trophies. Saturday I have the opportunity to achieve this and we earned this opportunity as a team.

“After every season you review it and see where you are in the project and what things may need to change.”

– Reuters

The 2024 FA Cup final will air exclusively on ESPN+ on Saturday, May 25.

Where is the FA Cup final in 2024?

The 2024 FA Cup final will be held at Wembley Stadium in London.

The new Wembley Stadium has hosted the match since 2007, the year the stadium opened. The original Wembley hosted the FA Cup final every year except one from 1923 to 2000. The Millennium Stadium in Cardiff, Wales, was home to the game from 2001-2006 while the new Wembley was under construction.

FA Cup final 2024 kick off time

The 2024 FA Cup final begins at 10 a.m. ET on Saturday, May 25.

List of FA Cup winners

  • 2022-23: Manchester City
  • 2021-22: Liverpool
  • 2020-21: Leicester City
  • 2019-20: Arsenal
  • 2018-19: Manchester City
  • 2017-18: Chelsea
  • 2016-17: Arsenal
  • 2015-16: Manchester United
  • 2014-15: Arsenal
  • 2013-14: Arsenal
  • 2012-13: Wigan Athletic

Contributing: Reuters

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