Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo were the matchwinners as Manchester United secured a stunning 2-1 victory over neighbours Manchester City to lift the 2024 FA Cup and leave Pep Guardiola’s double dreams in tatters.
The Red Devils were organised and menacing on the break from the off and stole in front on the half hour mark when Garnacho capitalised upon a shocking mix-up between Stefan Ortega and Josko Gvardiol to roll the ball into an empty net.
It got even better for Erik ten Hag’s side nine minutes later when a brilliant move involving Marcus Rashford, Garnacho and Bruno Fernandes ended with Mainoo guiding a fine first-time shot beyond the keeper.
The Citizens, who were aiming to become the only team to achieve back-to-back league and FA Cup doubles, were strangely out-of-sorts for long spells but did rattle the bar through Erling Haaland on 55 minutes.
City continued to belatedly up the ante as the second half developed and pulled one back three minutes from time when substitute Jeremy Doku squeezed a 20-yard shot beyond Andre Onana at his near post.
It proved too little, too late for the Premier League champions, however, as United hung on to avenge last year’s final defeat.
Football