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Man City vs Man United LIVE: FA Cup final result and final score as Kobbie Mainoo goal wins it at Wembley

Manchester United ended a poor season on a huge high as Erik ten Hag ignored intense speculation about his future to mastermind a shock FA Cup final win against rivals Manchester City

Karl Matchett
Saturday 25 May 2024 16:18 EDT
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Pep Guardiola offers advice to journalist after 'offensive' question

Manchester United saved their best performance of a mediocre season to the very end as they upset Manchester City 2-1 in the FA Cup final on Saturday to deprive their rivals of the double.

With speculation swirling about the future of manager Erik Ten Hag, United ripped up the form book as first-half goals from teenagers Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo proved enough for them to lift the trophy for a 13th time.

They had to endure a second-half siege, however, as City swarmed forward and a late goal by Jeremy Doku set up a nerve-shredding finale before United could celebrate at Wembley.

Premier League champions City, bidding to become the first club to win the double in successive seasons, had been on a 35-match unbeaten run in all competitions in open play.

But they were well below their best in the first half, gifting Garnacho a 30th-minute opener before Mainoo made it 2-0.

City woke up in the second half and Erling Haaland hit the crossbar, but they had to wait until the 87th minute for substitute Doku to halve the deficit.

United hung on, however, to seal the best result of Ten Hag’s two-season reign and qualification for next season’s Europa League.

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20’ - City 0-0 United

Maybe it’s a bit hot at pitch level. De Bruyne now fires a pass out of play, routine one too. United working hard off the ball and waiting for a chance to spring forward in numbers. Mainoo tries to do that now and another pass over the top for Rashford eventually sees Stones have to block McTominay.

Karl Matchett25 May 2024 15:22
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16’ - City 0-0 United

Silva winds infield past two and has a shooting chance - he opts to pass though to Foden, who immediately slides a ball....straight out of play. Gvardiol was on the overlap but it was way ahead of him.

The suited Pep Guardiola offers a grimace on the touchline - his side are in control but haven’t gone through the gears yet.

Karl Matchett25 May 2024 15:20
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12’ - City 0-0 United

Silva crosses to the far post where Foden is arriving - his first-time hit goes into the side-netting on a narrow angle. Haaland has a couple of times looked to jump on or behind Martinez but the deliveries haven’t been on point yet. The Argentine centre-back has to be alert to clear another deep ball now, whacking it clear for a moment’s respite.

Karl Matchett25 May 2024 15:14
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8’ - City 0-0 United

A first few minutes on the ball for the Red Devils now, quite tidy and composed even if deep in their own midfield zone. Onana then hits another pass long over the top for Rashford to speed for, but once more Walker wins the footrace and sees off his rival.

Fernandes then spreads it wide for Garnacho who fires in a shot quickly - it’s on target, but at Ortega who saves comfortably. Moments of promise for the Red Devils all the same.

Karl Matchett25 May 2024 15:10
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4’ - City 0-0 United

High-tempo start and plenty of noise inside Wembley!

City naturally dominating possession early on and United clogging up the centre, forcing City back or wide so far.

De Bruyne and Silva both coming dep early on to try and get on the ball.

Karl Matchett25 May 2024 15:07
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1’ - City 0-0 United

We are underway! A first launched ball forward sees Rashford race towards the City box but Walker has the pace to more than match him and recover. An opening-seconds chance for United fans to roar some hope - then City fans roar as they want a penalty! A cross from the left, Haaland is bumped to ground by Martinez - but not enough for a foul.

Karl Matchett25 May 2024 15:03
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Man City vs Man United - FA Cup final LIVE

Gareth Southgate in the stands for a look at a few people today - one or two might yet get cut who play for these sides; one in particular did not make the provisional squad. How United must hope that Rashford has a response to that today.

Lineups again:

City - Ortega, Walker, Stones, Ake, Gvardiol, Rodri, Kovacic, Silva, De Bruyne, Foden, Haaland

United - Onana, Wan-Bissaka, Varane, Martinez, Dalot, McTominay, Ambrabat, Mainoo, Garnacho, Fernandes, Rashford

Karl Matchett25 May 2024 15:00
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Man City vs Man United - FA Cup final LIVE

The national anthem time. We’re just under ten minutes from kick-off - here’s a historical piece on what the FA Cup used to mean.

What the FA Cup final used to mean

The historical and cultural significance of the FA Cup final has never been more important, writes Miguel Delaney, at a time when football’s communal values are under threat

Karl Matchett25 May 2024 14:53
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Man City vs Man United - FA Cup final LIVE

And Erik ten Hag, asked about his centre-back partnership and his own future:

“We’ll see how ready they are. We’ve struggled a long time at centre-half, five or six players have played there. They miss match fitness but they know the job and have to do the job. They’re experienced, they can do it.

“Nothing about me. It’s not about me, it’s the team. It’s a very important game for the club and we’ve focused on that. We don’t talk about my position. It doesn’t affect my preparations. I focus on a winning team.

“I’m only focusing on lifting the trophy.”

Karl Matchett25 May 2024 14:50
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Man City vs Man United - FA Cup final LIVE

Roy Keane speaks on Ten Hag’s criticism today of pundits being negative towards Man United:

“A lot of managers don’t like pundits but that’s part of their journey. We’re ex-players and we look at where they are now - he has to take his medicine. But he’s here in a final and he’s got a chance.

“If Man United win today they’ll get plenty of plaudits. You have to hope the players turn up and put in a really good performance.”

Fellow ITV pundit Karen Carney on Haaland:

“If he’s going to get opportunities he’ll take it. His stats are phenomenal (90 in 97 for Man City).United’s centre-backs have to get tight and aggressive.

“They’ve played 20 minutes the other day but this is Manchester City. They might not be up to speed but they are experienced. It’s not ideal when you chop and change centre-backs.”

Karl Matchett25 May 2024 14:45

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