Manchester United edge past Manchester City 2-1, win 13th FA Cup title

Manchester United pulled off an almighty upset on Saturday when they defeated a clearly exhausted Manchester City side 2-1 to win their 13th FA Cup in Wembley.

The first goal was scored in the 30th minute by Alejandro Garnacho who capitalised on a mistake by Josko Gvardiol and goalkeeper Stefan Ortega and the second one was by rising star Kobbie Mainoo in the 39th minute.

City, who last week for the Premier League title for the 4th year running, looked to be out of sorts in the match with chances they would normally put away getting wasted. Erling Haaland came the closest in the 2nd half as he hit the bar and then Kyle Walker’s swirling effort was saved by United goalie Andre Onana.

In the end, they managed to pull one back through Jeremy Doku who scored in the 87th minute but it was too little too late for the reigning champions.

The match was a repeat of the final from last year which was won by City 2-1 with Sunday’s victory acting as sweet revenge for United coach Erik Ten Hag whose future is still up in the air at Old Trafford.

YOU COULDN'T WRITE IT 🤯

Academy graduate, Kobbie Mainoo scores in the #EmiratesFACup Final for @ManUtd 😱 pic.twitter.com/d68cAKvaE8

— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) May 25, 2024

Earlier, Manchester United midfielder Casemiro was named on the bench and was then withdrawn because of a “late injury issue.” The Brazil international and five-time Champions League winner with Real Madrid was a surprise exclusion from Erik ten Hag’s starting line-up.

United said Casemiro, who has been heavily criticized for his performances this season, was not 100% going into the match at Wembley. It did not expand on the nature of the injury.

GARNACHOOO 🫨

The @ManUtd man capitalises on a mistake to strike first at Wembley! 🔴#EmiratesFACup pic.twitter.com/olfFq43HG8

— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) May 25, 2024

He was replaced on the bench by defender Willy Kambwala.

Rasmus Hojlund was another high-profile exclusion from the starting lineup. He joined the club after a USD 82 million move from Atalanta in the offseason.

Marcus Rashford started in attack, with on-loan Sofyan Amrabat also playing.

City manager Pep Guardiola named Jack Grealish and Ruben Dias on the bench as he looked to complete back-to-back Premier League and FA Cup doubles.

John Stones was picked to start for the first time since City’s win against Chelsea in the semi-final on April 20.

City beat United 2-1 in last year’s final.

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