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
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.
FT - Man City 1-2 Man United
Up go Man United now to collect their medals - and the trophy. They are back to within one of the record in the FA Cup.
107 steps to the royal box, United players taking their team and taking the applause from the fans.
FT - Man City 1-2 Man United
Man City are climbing the Wembley steps to pick up their loser’s medals. United fans jeer them as they go.
“United took their chances, nobody gave them a chance,” says Ian Wright.
“An uncharacteristic performance from City in the first half. It’s been a long season but credit to United’s gameplan,” adds Lescott.
FT - Man City 1-2 Man United
A huge result for United today and quite possibly for Erik ten Hag in particular - we’ll see if it affects the decision for Ineos over whether to keep the boss in charge.
Some frustration and disappointment for City though, who never quite got their game in gear on the day.
FT - Man City 1-2 Man United
The whistle goes and United have won the FA Cup!
Enormous roars from the stands, huge celebration on the touchline.
Manchester United deny Man City the double and Ten Hag wins himself a second domestic cup.
90+7’ - City 1-2 United
Final seconds. City pour forward for one last attack. Rodri gives it to Doku, he crosses deep, Walker strikes from the edge of the box but it’s cleared again one more time.
Hojlund again shows some good hold-up work and wins another foul - yellow card for Alvarez and that’s almost that, surely!
90+4’ - City 1-2 United
Mason Mount and Victor Lindelof on for the closing minutes in another United double change. McTominay and Garnacho replaced. All defensive set-up now for Erik ten Hag.
Doku and Alvarez try to tiptoe through into the box but United clear and put it long for Hojlund to sprint onto and give them a few seconds of respite.
It’ll keep coming back of course but United only have a few more minutes to hold on. Fernandes shoots from about 45 yards and it’s well off-target.
90’ - City 1-2 United
Into stoppage time we go and Man City have got seven minutes to find an equaliser.
Akanji gets carried away and spanks one miles over the crossbar. Yellow card for one of City’s backroom staff for appealing too much against something.
United fans furious at how long the injury time is, Guardiola furious it’s not longer. Standard stuff.
GOAL! 87’ - City 1-2 United
A little over 84,000 in attendance at Wembley today, the announcer tells us. Half of them are just a few minutes plus stoppage time from a big celebration to top a terrible year - the other half have had a great year but will be left deflated today.
Unless......!
GOAL!
From nowhere, Doku spins infield, beats his man and shoots near post - it’s not that fierce of a strike but it beats Onana who might be unsighted and nestles in the near corner! City within a goal with...three left on the clock. They couldn’t, surely?
84’ - City 0-2 United
It’s getting close to now or never time for City but United are still standing very firm. Fernandes hits a free-kick on target, saved by Ortega; at the other end Doku switches to the right and wins a corner but Onana palms it away to safety.
Garnacho tries to escape on the counter but Walker is yet again across to make the challenge - the right-back has had a good game, but too many further forward haven’t had their finest 80-odd minutes today.
If there’s to be a late comeback, it’s going to be pretty spectacular from this point onwards. United looking...almost comfortable, despite the huge work rate going in.
80’ - City 0-2 United
Final ten minutes. Doku goes wandering along the edge of the box and takes on one or two before eventually going down under a bit of a strong arm from Amrabat - free-kick given but it looks generous.
Alvarez stands over it, Foden takes instead...into the wall. At the other end Hojlund battles away to beat Akanji and hold up the ball before winning a free-kick.
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