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Manchester United have been crowned champions of the 2023/2024 FA cup after defeating noisy neighbours Manchester City in the final.
The build-up to the game at Wembley followed much anticipation as it played host to another Manchester derby on neutral ground. The Cityzens came into the encounter as newly crowned English first division champions and on course to add a fourth title following earlier triumphs in the UEFA Super Cup, Club World Cup and the Premier League.
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The Red Devils on the contrary came forward as overwhelming underdogs particularly with gaffer Erik Ten Hag’s fate hanging in the balance. Both the Dutch manager and club captain Bruno Fernandes partaking in media campaigns to explain their current state and rally fans around for their pending game.
United started off in a seemingly now familiar approach of Bruno and Scott Mctominay rotating the false 9 role. Alejandro Garnacho and Marcus Rashford provided the support on the flanks with in-form Amad Diallo dropping to the bench.
The Red Devils took the lead on the half-hour mark when Stefan Ortega misread Josko Gvardiol’s header backwards. The Argentinian teenager in Alejandro Garnacho tapped into an open net to gift the red half of Manchester the lead.
9 minutes later, another teenager from Carrington doubled their lead. Kobbie Mainoo rounded off his impressive season by getting on the end of a cheeky Bruno Fernandes totally wrong footing Stefan Ortega.
Pep Guardiola introduced Jeremy Doku after the break to inject some life into a very slow City side on the day. United were more than comfortable to settle into a mid-block to see out their lead. Chance after chance of asking fell on deaf ears with a resolute Andre Onana denying two long range Kyle Walker attempts and Erling Haaland also striking the crossbar.
The electric Doku pulled one back for City but none other was forthcoming as the Reds ran out eventual champions after an additional 7 minutes of the encounter.
As such, United with previously dashed hopes of European football will now partake in the 2024/2025 UEFA Europa League campaign pushing rivals Chelsea to settle for a conference league spot. The domino effect also pushes Newcastle United away from partaking in any tier of UEFA’s club competitions next season.
Scenes from the trophy lifting ceremony showed a very ecstatic club management and the multi-dollar question to be asked of them will be if Erik Ten Hag continues in the dugout next season.
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