Erling Haaland failed to impress again in a big match as Manchester United beat rival Manchester City 2-1 to win the FA cup for the 13th time in their history with United now one behind record holder Arsenal on 14th. Pep Guardiola without the injured Ederson started with Stefan Ortega in goal while Nathan Ake and John Stones were the two center back pairing. Rodri and Mateo Kovacic anchored the midfield with Erling Haaland flanked by Phil Poden and Bernando Silva with Kelvin De Bruyne behind him. Erik Ten Hang named Marcus Rashford and Lisandro Martinez in the starting eleven as well as Scot McTominay and Amrabat in midfield.
United started the brighter side and had a chance on the break after Bruno played in Rashford on goal but Kyle Walker did brilliantly to gain ground on Rashford and the chance was off. City grew into the game but was unable to trouble Onana in the united goal and after a long pass out from the back by Diego Dalot found Garnacho clear on goal, Gvardiol having close down the United winger tried to play a headed ball back to his goal keeper who was already off his line to leave Garnacho to score into an unguarded net to give United a lead which to their credit they deserved and it was soon 2-0 to United after a brilliant diagonal ball from Rashford found Garnacho on the right with the Argentine playing the ball back for Bruno Fernades who played a one time pass to Kobbie Mainoo and the youngster made it two for United heading into the break.
At the start of the second half, Pep introduced Jeremy Doku and Manuel Akanji for Nathan Ake and Mateo Kovacic and the game swung back in City favour with Jeremy Doku especially giving United a torrid time and it was him who get City back in the game with a right footed strike which in all honesty Onana in United goal should have saved but in the end it was just a consolation goal as Ten Hang brought on returning Victor Lindelof and Jonny Evans as well as Mason Mount to see out the victory and made sure Pep dream of a domestic trebble would extend to next season.
What does the FA cup win mean for Manchester United?
With their FA cup success, Manchester United have quality for the Europa league next season despite finished 8th on the league with their win meaning Chelsea having qualified for Europa League via their league position will now have to make do with European Conference League. United win will have angered Chelsea supporters who would have wanted City to win but will now have to do with the Conference League next season. Ten Hang and his men won’t care as the party begins and will continue all the way to Manchester.
