As Manchester United stunned Man City at Wembley to maintain Erik ten Hag’s trophy-a-season average at the Red Devils, it felt fitting that Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo scored the goals that brought silverware home to Old Trafford.
In a campaign in which many of Manchester United‘s senior stars have fallen below their usual standards, the latest crop of Carrington graduates puffed out their chests and once again defied the words of Alan Hansen, 30 years on from the emergence of ‘Fergie’s Fledglings’.
‘Ten Hag’s Tots’ – Garnacho and Mainoo – put United 2-0 up at half-time with a pair of goals that sum both of them up quite succinctly. The never-ending enthusiasm of Garnacho, and the peerless poise of Mainoo.
But amid all the excitement surrounding United’s future, do not underestimate the role Ten Hag’s old guard played at Wembley. Raphael Varane rolled back the years during his final appearance in that iconic red shirt.
And as for Jonny Evans, who in their right mind expected to see the 36-year-old keeping Erling Haaland quiet in an FA Cup final when he returned to Man United on a short-term deal that was supposed to expire at the end of last summer’s pre-season tour?
Jonny Evans is an FA Cup winner with Manchester United
“It was a great day out. It was the perfect FA Cup Final, with the sun out and an incredible atmosphere. It’s exactly what you want the Cup Final to be,” Jonny’s younger brother and one-time Man United youth-teamer Corry Evans tells the Belfast Telegraph.
“And the red side of Manchester was celebrating at the end, which was nice for my family. I took my son along, and I don’t think he will ever forget it.
“I was so proud of Jonny. He did well in the Cup Final. But it wasn’t just Saturday. He’s done unbelievably well this season.”
He may be closer to 40 than he is to 30 these days but, if there is any player who sums up the phrase ‘age is but a number’, it’s Jonny Evans. Still a pillar of consistency and reliability, the 2008 Champions League winner ended the campaign with 30 appearances in all competitions, stepping up heroically during a nightmarish injury crisis.
It would come as little surprise if Man United opted to hand Evans a new deal, perhaps with the hope of utilising the Irishman as a mentor for new faces such as Jarrad Branthwaite or Jean-Clair Todibo.
Veteran defender deserves to stay at Old Trafford
“I think he has shown what a quality player he still is, and I think he deserved to play a part on Saturday. It was a proud moment for the whole family,” adds Corry, who is on the lookout for a new club with his Sunderland contract expiring.
“I think any time Jonny was called upon, he did unbelievable. I think if you asked him at the start of the season, I don’t think he would have expected to be playing in another FA Cup Final, and winning it, with Manchester United.
“But football is a strange game, and he is still showing he has the quality and the fitness and everything else that goes with it to be part of a team like that.
“And he’s got another medal. It is some career, and the family are immensely proud of him.”