The arches of Wembley Stadium were painted red as first-half finishes from Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo saw the Red Devils put their noses in front at half time of the Emirates FA Cup Final. Despite an onslaught of changes from Pep Guardiola on the touchline, Manchester City failed to crawl their way back into the game as Manchester United got their hands on the silverware at Wembley Stadium.
As it Happened
Looking to defend last year’s FA Cup glory, Manchester City looked strong straight out of the gates as play kicked off under the arch of Wembley Stadium. Early shouts for a penalty echoed in the City end, as Erling Haaland exaggerated a nudge from Lisandro Martínez inside of the box. No foul was awarded in real time by Andrew Madley, nor was it given under the inspection of VAR.
Embed from Getty ImagesAlejandro Garnacho looked to provide Manchester United their first real look in what is set to be Erik Ten Hag’s final fixture in charge, though his strike was fired directly in to the safe hands of Pep Guardiola’s second-choice goalkeeper in Stefan Ortega.
An unlikely blunder at the back between an in-form Josko Gvardiol saw miscommunication ensue, as the City left-back sent his header over the flailing hands of Ortega before Garnacho was free to run into an open goal. The young star made no mistake in finding the back of the net, as the Red end of Wembley Stadium erupted in the 30th minute of play.
The Red Devils looked to further the blow inside of the first half, as a clever combination between Garnacho and Marcus Rashford saw the Englishmen double United’s advantage. Though much to the dismay of the celebrating crowd, the offside flag was raised.
Only seconds later did the double score become official, as Manchester United catalysed brilliance inside of the area. Garnacho located an unmarked Bruno Fernandes, before the United skipper found Kobbie Mainoo at the back post. Making no mistake did one of their own, as Manchester United fans fell into rapture as they garnered the 2-0 lead.
Embed from Getty ImagesJeremy Doku made his presence known as he entered the field in the second half of the proceedings, as the City winger broke into the danger of the 18-yard with a sliding cross. A clever dummy from Phil Foden left Erling Haaland unmarked, before the Norwegian rattled the crossbar with Manchester City’s best chance of the afternoon.
A slipping ball to the advance of Julián Álvarez from Foden looked as if it would find the back of the net, though the Argentinian failed to convert, as he fired his strike wide of the goalposts. Penalty shouts followed another City advance, as Kobbie Mainoo looked to out-body Erling Haaland inside of the area. Though no spot kick was awarded by Andrew Madley, as the young star’s efforts were derived as legal.
Doing the work himself did Doku, as his strike from the edge of the area was blundered by Onana before bobbling home to get one back for the Cityzens with just three minutes of regular time on the time left on the clock.
Despite a late effort from City, first half finishes from Mainoo and Garnacho would remain the difference as Manchester United were crowned Emirates FA Cup Champions after what has been a precarious campaign.
The Lineups
MCI: Ortega; Walker, Stones, Aké, Gvardiol; Rodri, Kovacic, De Bruyne; Silva, Foden, Haaland
MUN: Onana; Dalot, Martínez, Varane, Wan-Bissaka; Amrabat, Mainoo, Rashford, Garnacho, Fernandes McTominay