This also prevented the Citizens from achieving a historic second double in a row. They also managed to avenge the 2-1 defeat in England’s most important cup competition last year.
The two 19-year-olds Alejandro Garnacho (30th/10th competitive goal of the season) and Kobbie Mainoo (39th/5th competitive goal of the season) were primarily responsible for this with a double strike in the first half. In addition, the underdog defended cleverly and Erling Haaland and Co. lacked the necessary efficiency. For ManUnited, it was the first triumph in the FA Cup since 2016 and the first title win since winning the League Cup in 2023.
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European Cup starting place with last chance
This meant that the club secured a place in the European Cup for next season at its last chance, and will be in the group phase of the Europa League. Whether this will happen with or without coach Erik ten Hag remains to be seen. According to media rumours, the Dutchman is on the verge of leaving the club due to only eighth place in the league, one year before his contract expires. ManCity missed out on its 21st trophy since 2008, when Sheikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan from Abu Dhabi took over the club. Jeremy Doku’s goal (87th) was not enough in the end.
As expected, ManCity had significantly more possession before the break with more than 70 percent, but had difficulty creating top chances, often the final pass didn’t arrive, and top striker Haaland, for example, never really got to play. The underdog did its part, defended very well and took the lead after half an hour thanks to a half-own goal by the favorite.
Garnacho scored to give United a 1-0 lead
After a long pass from Diogo Dalot, defender Josko Gvardiol headed the ball over the rushing goalkeeper Stefan Ortega in a misunderstanding and into the path of the Argentine team striker Garnacho, who only had to push the ball in from six meters. Marcus Rashford also scored a goal a little later, but the goal was rightly disallowed due to Garnacho being just offside (38′).
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Image: (APA/AFP/JUSTIN TALLIS)
Source: Nachrichten
