Manchester United have won the Emirates FA Cup after beating Manchester City 2-1 at Wembley Stadium, thanks to goals from two academy graduates Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo.
The build up to the game was about how many goals would Manchester City’s title winners put past Erik ten Hag’s Manchester United but the game did not go that way.
Alejandro Garnacho fired United ahead in the first half after a dreadful error from Josko Gvardiol, who headed a looping pass over the head of Stefan Ortega. United doubled their lead in the first half thanks to a brilliant team goal, which was finished superbly by Kobbie Mainoo. Jeremy Doku scored late on but it mattered little to the final result.
Here are five things we learnt from United’s FA Cup final victory.
Garnacho capitalised on City error
Garnacho played from the right hand side at Wembley Stadium in place of Amad Diallo and the Argentine was certainly busy from the right hand side. He had the easiest of jobs to tap home after a horrible error from Josko Gvardiol led to the academy graduate opening the scoring in the first half.
The 20-year-old was also involved in the second goal, too. After a superb pass from Marcus Rashford found Garnacho on the right, the Argentine found Bruno Fernandes on the edge of the box, who in turn played a superb pass to Mainoo, who finished superbly.
He has been one of the club’s best players this season. He has continued to grow and grow and has now become undroppable for the Red Devils.
Mainoo caps off superb season with goal
Mainoo was finally given a chance for the Red Devils against Everton back in November and, since then, the 19-year-old has been one of the bright spots for United in what has been a poor season.
The teenager has taken to the Premier League like a duck to water and looked superb against the best team in the land. Mainoo was the best midfielder on the park from either side and took his goal so well.
Gareth Southgate has selected the English midfielder for his European Championship campaign and has included the teenage midfielder and it’s hard to disagree with his selection.
Varane and Martinez excel
The FA Cup final was the last game in the red of United for French defender Raphael Varane, who will leave Old Trafford on a free transfer. Lisandro Martinez also returned to the first team following a lengthy spell out of the team due to injury and he looked back to his best.
Last season’s good campaign was built on the solid defensive foundation of the pair and it has been tough for Ten Hag to go through the majority of the season without his two best defenders.
Against a formidable City attack with Erling Haaland, Phil Foden and Bernardo Silva, the pair defended very well and didn’t allow the Norwegian striker, in particular, to create any chances.
Amrabat performs superbly well
The question around United’s signings this season have been how many of them have been a success but one of these players who hasn’t been a success is Sofyan Amrabat.
Since joining the club on loan from Fiorentina, the Moroccan midfielder has been very underwhelming at Old Trafford. However, at Wembley Stadium, the midfielder was superb and dealt with the threat of Kevin De Bruyne and Phil Foden very well.
He stuck to his position and was very solid for the Red Devils. If this is to be the midfielder’s last game for the Red Devils, he will leave the club on a high note and with an FA Cup medal.
Ten Hag’s moment
This campaign has been a difficult one for Erik ten Hag, with the raft of injury problems, as well as the constant murmurs about his future at the club, the Dutchman deserved this moment of glory.
If this is to be Ten Hag’s final dance at Old Trafford, he will go out on a high with a winners medal around his neck. He will be the only manager post Sir Alex Ferguson to win trophies in consecutive seasons.