Jeremy Doku squeezed an 87th minute strike past Andre Onana’s weak attempted save, but it was too late to rescue Manchester City in the high-stakes FA Cup final at Wembley Stadium. The final scoreline read 2-1 in favor of Manchester United, leaving Erik ten Hag and his men jubilant as they celebrated a hard-fought victory that many had deemed improbable before the match.
Manchester United’s Bruno Fernandes (center) was at the heart of the celebrations with teammates after the final whistle blew, sealing their triumph over local rivals and reigning Premier League champions, Manchester City. The celebratory scenes at Wembley served as a sharp contrast to the tension that had loomed over United’s camp in the weeks leading up to the match.
Erik ten Hag, the manager of Manchester United, had faced mounting speculation regarding his future at the club. Reports suggested that he was on the verge of being dismissed regardless of the outcome at Wembley, following what he himself had described as a “terrible” season. However, the narrative shifted dramatically after Ten Hag orchestrated a tactical masterclass, outwitting his counterpart Pep Guardiola and thwarting City’s ambition for a domestic double for the second consecutive year.
Despite City being widely regarded as favorites to clinch both the Premier League and the FA Cup, Ten Hag’s United found a way to neutralize the formidable opposition. It was Alejandro Garnacho who opened the scoring in the first half, giving United a crucial lead. His effort was soon followed by a goal from youngster Kobbie Mainoo, who found the back of the net to leave City reeling. These two early strikes put United in a commanding position and set the stage for what would be a memorable victory.
City clearly missed several opportunities and struggled to break down United’s resilient defense throughout the match. Jeremy Doku’s late strike in the 87th minute, which slipped through Andre Onana’s less-than-convincing save attempt, was their only consolation. Unfortunately for City, it was too little too late, as the team could not muster another goal to force extra time.
With the victory, Manchester United not only secured their first FA Cup win in eight years but also potentially postponed any decisions regarding Ten Hag’s future.
. The prospect of him parting ways with United brings to mind the departure of another Dutch manager, Louis van Gaal, who was sacked just two days after leading United to an FA Cup victory against Crystal Palace in 2016.
Reflecting on the match, ten Hag’s tactical ingenuity came into sharp focus. His strategy effectively stifled City’s usually fluid play and emphasized the attacking finesse that United’s lineup had to offer. The manager’s ability to inspire and extract peak performances from young talents like Garnacho and Mainoo will undoubtedly be a talking point in the coming days.
The game also raised questions about Manchester City’s composure under pressure. Despite having a star-studded squad and being managed by one of the world’s most respected coaches in Pep Guardiola, they couldn’t convert their dominance in the league into cup success. Their dream of completing another domestic double was cut short by a determined United side that executed their game plan to perfection.
The reverberations of this upset will be felt in both the red and blue halves of Manchester. For City, the focus now shifts to finding the right formula to bounce back, while United and their fans will revel in this hard-earned triumph. For ten Hag, the victory could be the lifeline he needed, providing a strong argument for his continued stewardship of the club.
As the dust settles on this dramatic FA Cup final, the histories of both clubs will remember this match as one where the underdog triumphed, delivering a blow to what many thought was an invincible City side. United’s resurgence under ten Hag, albeit tumultuous, has shown that in football, unpredictability remains one of the sport’s greatest appeals.
In closing, while Doku’s late goal provided some drama, it couldn’t change the fate that had already been sealed by United’s early strikes. As the celebrations unfold at Old Trafford, fans and players alike have every reason to be hopeful for the future, buoyed by a victory that no one saw coming.
