Behind two first-half goals from their teenage years, Manchester United beat rivals Manchester City 2-1 in the FA Cup final at London’s Wembley Stadium on Saturday.
Alejandro Garnacho and Kobi Mainu both scored within 10 minutes to put United 2-0 up. City, the four-time defending Premier League champions, pulled a goal back through Jeremy Doku in the final minutes of regulation but could not find an equaliser.
“Unbelievable. Nobody believed in us. But we’re all together as a team. We fought, the game of our lives,” Carnacho said.
It was Manchester United’s 13th FA Cup win in 143 years, second only to 14-time champions Arsenal. The win earned Manchester United a place in the 2024–24 UEFA Europa League, Europe’s second-tier club competition.
This season’s Premier League champions City were hoping to become the first club to win the domestic double in back-to-back seasons.
Here’s how Saturday’s action unfolded in London:
Final: Manchester United 2, Manchester City 1
United beat their cross-town rivals 2–1 in the 2024 FA Cup Final, lifting the competition’s trophy for the 13th time in the club’s history. The win secured United qualification for the 2024-25 UEFA Europa League.
Manchester United manager Erik den Hagen was tipped to be on the hot seat following his club’s disappointing Premier League season, and fans will be watching closely to see what happens to the United boss in the coming days and weeks.
Target! City’s Jeremy Toku scored in the closing minutes to make it 2-1
Manchester City’s Jeremy Toku should have been stopped by goalkeeper Andre Onana, who has made mistakes throughout his first season with United, after a low shot from outside the box. . Game on!
Manchester City time out
With 10 minutes left in the 90, Manchester City are throwing everything they got at United but can’t find a breakthrough. Julian Alvarez gave Kevin De Bruyne’s City some more firepower in the second half.
United goalkeeper Andre Onana made a great save on City’s Kyle Walker’s long-range effort to keep the game 2-0.
Manchester City Halftime Subs, Holland Hits Bar
Manuel Akanji replaced Nathan Ake and winger Jeremy Doku came on for Mateo Kovacic in City’s defence, which Pep Guardiola trailed 2-0.
In the 55th minute, Man City forward Erling Haaland hit a shot against the crossbar, his team’s best chance so far.
Half time: Manchester United 2, Manchester City 0
Goals from teenagers Alejandro Garnacho (30th minute) and Kobi Mainu (39th minute) gave United a 2-0 lead in the dressing room.
Pep Guardiola’s side dominated the first half (75%) but managed only one shot on goal. City were more capable of digging this hole, but United did a better job of finding space when their rivals pressed for the ball back, especially in the second goal.
Kobi Mainu’s goal gave Man United a 2-0 win
Fellow 19-year-old Alejandro Carnacho put United ahead before 10 minutes when Kobi Mainu scored, beating a formidable counter-attack to make it 2-0, scoring first-time from close range after captain Bruno’s brilliant pass. Fernandez.
Mainoo has made 24 Premier League appearances for United this season and was named in England’s senior national team ahead of this summer’s European Championships.
Target! Alejandro Carnacho gives Manchester United a 1-0 lead
United’s 19-year-old winger Alejandro Garnacho pounced on a mistake by City defender Josco Guardiola as he tried to pass the ball back to his goalkeeper in an awkward encounter with a long ball played over the top. City keeper Stefan Ortega came out and tried to collect the ball, allowing Carnacho to slip behind and score in the 30th minute.
Manchester City had early penalty appeals rejected by VAR
United defender Lizando Martinez collided with City’s Erling Holland in the opening minutes to lash out at the Premier League’s Golden Boot winner. City wanted a penalty but a quick VAR check decided it wasn’t enough to warrant a spot kick.
Manchester United vs Manchester City in the FA Cup Final
City won both meetings between the clubs in the 2023-24 Premier League season after taking last year’s FA Cup final against their rivals.
FA Cup Final Line-ups
Erik ten Haag rumors are swirling
Manchester United manager Erik ten Haag is confident his side can salvage what has been a poor season in Saturday’s FA Cup final against Manchester City.
“It’s all about trophies,” Den Haag told reporters on Thursday. “We have a big chance to win the cup.
“The club hasn’t won that many trophies in the last 10 years, but we have a chance to win two in two years,” he said, referring to last season’s League Cup triumph.
Asked if he could take charge of his final game for United on Saturday, the Dutchman refused to answer.
“I don’t have anything to say, I just focus on the job I have to do, and that’s win the game on Saturday and then we’re on the program, stay on the program,” he said. “I came here to win trophies. I have the opportunity to achieve this on Saturday and we took this opportunity as a team.
“After every season you review it and see where you are in the program and what things need to change.”
– Reuters
How to watch FA Cup Final in USA
The 2024 FA Cup Final will be broadcast exclusively on ESPN+ on Saturday 25 May.
Where is the FA Cup Final in 2024?
The 2024 FA Cup Final will be played at Wembley Stadium in London.
The new Wembley Stadium has hosted the competition since 2007, the year the ground opened. The original Wembley hosted the FA Cup Final every year except one year from 1923 to 2000. The Millennium Stadium in Cardiff, Wales was home to the game from 2001–2006 while the new Wembley was under construction.
FA Cup Final 2024 start time
The 2024 FA Cup Final begins at 10 a.m. ET on Saturday, May 25.
List of FA Cup winners
- 2022-23: City of Manchester
- 2021-22: Liverpool
- 2020-21: Leicester City
- 2019-20: Arsenal
- 2018-19: City of Manchester
- 2017-18: Chelsea
- 2016-17: Arsenal
- 2015-16: Manchester United
- 2014-15: Arsenal
- 2013-14: Arsenal
- 2012-13: Wigan Athletic
Contributed by: Reuters
