In what could be Erik ten Hag’s final game as Manchester United manager, his team delivered a masterclass in counter-attacking football to defeat Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City in the FA Cup final.
The match, held at Wembley Stadium, ended with a scoreline that favored United, despite City’s dominance in possession.
City, known for their control of the ball, struggled to break through United’s resolute defense. United, employing a low block strategy, frequently launched quick counter-attacks utilizing the speed of Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho.
The breakthrough came when Diogo Dalot sent a long ball that caused confusion in the City defense. A mix-up between goalkeeper Stefan Ortega and defender Josko Gvardiol allowed Garnacho to tap the ball into an empty net, giving United the lead.
United doubled their advantage shortly after. A swift switch of play from Rashford to Garnacho exposed City’s defensive frailties. Garnacho cut inside and passed to Bruno Fernandes, who then laid the ball off to Mainoo for a composed finish.
City managed to pull one back through Jeremy Doku, but it was too little too late. The final whistle confirmed United’s triumph, capping a memorable day for the Red Devils and potentially offering a fitting send-off for Erik ten Hag.
