Rob Bagchi, LIVE UPDATESandJames Ducker, Northern Football Correspondent, at Wembley
Pep Guardiola speaks to the BBC in typical blood out of stone fashion
To paraphrase as there were long pauses and one word answers, punctuated by Paddington Bear stares:
He says all he did afterwards was congratulate his players on their wonderful season. He says that Manchester United have always been a transition team, for 20-30 years, and that his side were better on the day but nonetheless congratulates the winners. He says they were the dominant team in the second half, says mistakes like the one between Ortega and Gvardiol ‘can happen’ and that they had chances but should not be criticised for not taking them. Asked whether watching United lift the Cup could motivate his team for next season, he says that his team is not motivated by what United do only by their own goals.
Erik ten Hag talks to Messrs Lineker and Shearer
All the compliments to the ream. They played to our identity. When we had all the players on board you see how we can play. Not all fully fit but very good.
I have been telling you this the whole year, when the players are fit we can play good football and it was a good performance and against the best team in the world
When the local rivalry is there it’s much more important to prove that after all the setbacks and injuries that the team showed so much resilience and I’m so proud of them.
It was not good football [during the season] but we had to make compromises because of the injuries.
I don’t know [if this is my last game]. All I’m doing is preparing my players. It is a project for me. We are by far not where we want to be but when I came in it was a mess.
Football is about winning trophies. We had one opportunity and we did it. I’m so proud of the players and staff.
It was so enjoyable to watch Kobbie. I think we have to keep it calm. You are very good at pushing players very high and then you hammer them after two bad performances. I think we should be calm [about how far he can go].
Bruno Fernandes speaks to the BBC
It’s been a long season. Our last chance to take something positive. They are a great team, great qualities and a great manager. We had to suffer and sacrifice but we [also played well]. Happy with the result, happy with the performance. I don’t know what to say now. Congratulations to the staff, the players and the fans who gave us a big push. We know the manager’s been under too much criticism but that’s part of Manchester United but he, his staff and the players all deserve this.
The teenage goalscorers talk to the BBC
Garnacho: It’s an incredible feeling. No one believes in us. But we are a team. We fight like it’s the last game of our lives. We are very happy. [Mainoo] is the youngest player in the squad and the best player.
Mainoo: It’s been a tough season of ups and downs. Last year I was in the stands watching! It’s incredible.
90+4 min: Man City 1 Man Utd 2
Mount ⇢ McTominay
Lindelof ⇢ Garnacho.
Mainoo again evades a challenge, sprints forward and sets Hojlund off but he is squeezed out by Gvardiol. Bruno, spotting Ortega high, takes on a fanciful shot but settles for it going miles over and eating up some time before the ball comes back.
90 min: Man City 1 Man Utd 2
There will be seven minutes of stoppage time and City’s fitness coach is booked, possibly for protesting that it isn’t enough.
83 min: Man City 0 Man Utd 2
Onana has commanded his box impressively today and comes out to claw away a corner that inspires a counter up the right which ends only when Garnacho is fouled.
Kyle Walker bounded over to give Martinez both barrels after feeling the United defender was taking too long to walk off. Both players launch into a verbal assault of each other as team mates rush over to separate the pair. Evans has now replaced Martinez and Hojlund is on for Rashford. This was more like the 30 goal striker of last season and the reaction to his substitution from United fans could not have been more different to the boos he got after coming off in the semi final against Coventry.
79 min: Man City 0 Man Utd 2
Amrabat is penalised for a shove when battling Alvarez and concedes a free-kick 22 yards out, right of centre, much to his annoyance. Foden takes and plants it into the wall.
United break and Hojlund draws a foul from Akanji to earn a free-kick of their own, right of centre, 22 yards out again.
63 min: Man City 0 Man Utd 2
United are not showing signs of tiring yet but it has to be a consideration given the games missed by key players. Wan-Bissaka again does well to hold off Doku.
It’s a compliment to your team when Pep Guardiola is having to make two half time substitutions and then withdrawing Kevin De Bruyne after 57 minutes. One long struggle this for the City midfielder. Alvarez is now on. United are starting to get pegged back. Haaland has hit the woodwork and Onana makes a stunning save to keep out a Walker rocket.
62 min: Man City 0 Man Utd 2
All hands to the pump as United try to stem the blue tide. Brilliant one-handed diving save from Onana denies Walker’s swerving, fizzing 25-yard shot, Varane’s back-header stops Haaland nipping in at the back post and Alvarez, from the second of back-to-back corner, drives a rising shot over the bar.
57 min: Man City 0 Man Utd 2
Two really good City chances created down the left, first for Foden who ghosts into the box but scuffs his shot from 12 yards and then when Doku goes again and tees up Haaland, the centre-forward hammers his effort against the bar.
Third City substitution:
Alvarez ⇢ De Bruyne.
48 min: Man City 0 Man Utd 2
Amrabat won’t get much attention but he has been very good so far. Dalot nicks the ball off Haaland and Bernardo and races up the left out he cuts back when confronted by Walker’s pace and rolls it back to Mainoo. When United lose the ball in midfield Rodri tries to catch Onana off his line from 50 yards but his audacious chip lands on the roof of the net and Onana had the time to get back to watch it land there.
Half-time thoughts
That was some first half from Kobbie Mainoo. Still only 19 and one of the most composed men on the pitch. He never looks rushed and physically imposing. United also look a far more content team with Lisandro Martinez on the pitch: Onana looks happier in goal, Mainoo and Fernandes more reassured in midfield as a consequence. There’s much greater cohesion. Can they sustain it in the second half? City will have to be a lot better if they are to win this game.
Tradition!
Back in the day, if you didn't down a pint of milk after the FA cup final then what were you even doing pic.twitter.com/0fnQ8iGTGT
— Bryan's Gunn (@bryansgunn) May 25, 2024
Half-time: Man City 0 Man Utd 2
Every area of United’s team is working well and their tactics have caught City cold. The champions can’t operate in the midfield congestion. But let us not forget they were 3-0 up last time they were here against Coventry and then the wheels fell off.
If United’s first goal was scavenging, the second was predatory.
45+2 min: Man City 0 Man Utd 2
Say what you will about Ten Hag’s United, that second goal comes straight out of the very top drawer. A fast, precise, composed, brilliantly worked team move, the sort even Pep Guardiola must have to admire. United worked the ball calmly out to Rashford on the left and he sprayed a raking cross-field pass out to Garnacho on the other side. Credit to Aaron Wan-Bissaka, his run from the inside channel draws the attention of two City players and creates more space for Garnacho to play the ball inside to Fernandes. United’s captain shaped to shoot but had the presence of mind to nudge a delicious little pass into the path of Kobbie Mainoo who, cool as you like, steers his finish past Ortega. Yet another big goal from the teenager. It’s been a fine 10 minutes for United: two goals, another one chalked off for offside and City a little rattled.
GOAL!!!
Man City 0 Man Utd 2 (Mainoo) Fabulous move. What a goal! Who is this team and where the hell have they been? Rashford hits a crossfield from the left, bypassing Ake and Gvardiol. Garnacho races on to it and takes it 25 yards before squaring to Fernandes by the centre-circle. He shapes to shoot but then lays it off to his left. Walker doesn’t know whether to go with Mainoo or Rashford, chooses the wrong man and Mainoo sweeps a right-foot shot into the bottom right corner from the left of the spot.
— ITV Football (@itvfootball) May 25, 2024Kobbie Mainoo's breakthrough season just keeps on getting better! 🔥
He's doubled Manchester United's lead after a SENSATIONAL pass from Bruno Fernandes 🪄#FACupFinal | #EmiratesFACup | #MCIMUN pic.twitter.com/34cKOXX6mw
GOAL!
Man City 0 Man Utd 1 (Garnacho) Dalot hits a diagonal from left to right, Garnacho bends his run back to stay onside as Ake plays him on. Gvardiol lets the ball bounce, doesn’t see Ortega racing out to deal with it and he heads it back … over the stranded Ortega and Garnacho gleefully races past to tap it into an empty net.
— ITV Football (@itvfootball) May 25, 2024What a mix-up between Gvardiol and Ortega! 😬
Alejandro Garnacho pounces on the mistake and Manchester United take the lead 🔴#FACupFinal | #EmiratesFACup | #MCIMUN pic.twitter.com/S6KWnYzZTj
26 min: Man City 0 Man Utd 0
Lovely control and pass from Foden sets Kovacic free down the right but he pulls the ball back just behind Haaland’s run and Mainoo clears by the penalty spot.
United fans start singing: “You cheating b-------, you know what you are!” at their City counterparts, a reference to the 115 Premier League charges the club are facing for alleged financial irregularities which City deny. City fans respond with chants of: “Champions of Europe, we know what we are.” Suffice to say, there’s not much love between the two of them.
22 min: Man City 0 Man Utd 0
Mainoo wins the ball back and chips to the left for Rashford who is once again beaten by Walker but the ball squeezes out of the challenge to Ortega who snatches at the clearance and United pounce, Bruno trying to latch on to it but Kovacic hooks it away with his toe before Fernandes can shoot from eight yards.
16 min: Man City 0 Man Utd 0
First sign of Onana’s shakes as he mish*ts a pass that fortuitously strikes Foden and goes out for a throw. From the re-start Martinez is penalised for a swipe at Foden which I’m not sure made contact as Foden jumped out of the way of the raking foot. The free-kick is 40 yards out, right of centre.
14 min: Man City 0 Man Utd 0
De Bruyne diddles Garnacho on the left and stands up a cross to the front post. Varane gets their first and heads it over Haaland and Dalot hammers a volley clear.
Erik Ten Hag’svery snug-fitting FA Cup suit trousers have beenriding up his legs on a coupleof occasions and the clear indicationsare that he is not wearing any socks. Whether that is a stylistic choice, or a simple failure to pack some, not immediately clear.
8 min: Man City 0 Man Utd 0
At last some sustained possession for United after Dalot won the ball back from Bernardo deep on the United left. They, too, can’t break into the City box and they work it back to Onana who chips it long for Rashford. Walker again catches him and wins the ball back though he gives Stones a pass he has to scramble to deal with.
1 min: Man City 0 Man Utd 0
City kick off, defending the half with their own fans in it, playing from left to right. And they roll it all the way back to Ortega. Deja vu? No. Haaland heads it but back towards his own goal and Rashford picks it up, races forward and is caught by Walker.
City want a penalty when Ortega knocks it long and Haaland goes down in the box under pressure from Martinez. Not enough contact, says the referee, and the VAR agrees.
Now it’s time for the National Anthem
The traditional military marching band at the FA Cup final are playing along with the stadium DJ’s mix arranged around the DJ himself on his dais in the centre of the pitch at Wembley. Track lists included Joy Division and the Stone Roses.
Erik ten Hag speaks to ITV
— ITV Football (@itvfootball) May 25, 2024"It's not about me, it's about the club" - Erik Ten Hag 🗣️
Ten Hag gives a very ambiguous answer about his future, whilst chatting to @gabrielclarke05 🎙️ pic.twitter.com/Y1AtMrxGeD
Pep on his team
Kova has helped us a lot this last month. I was having a lot of doubts. I was thinking to let Julian [Alvarez] play as well. I thought a lot about that [but went for greater] control.
They have the pace of Garnacho and Rashford, experienced players back in Martinez and Varane, long balls for McTominay, we know the quality. Premier League it’s not been a good season but they are Man Utd. One competition for one game, they can do anything.
Casemiro off the bench
It looked very much like Erik ten Hag would start withouta recognised striker having used Rasmus Hojlund as an impact substitute in United’s final two league games and so it proves. Bruno Fernandes seems likely to start as a false nine with Scott McTominay and Kobbie Mainoo behind him and Sofyan Amrabat anchoring the midfield.
Casemiro has been pulled out of United’s squad at the eleventh hour. The Brazil midfielder has been hampered by a muscle issue and was originally named among the substitutes but he apparently reported tightness as he warmed up in the dressing room and has now been replaced by defender Willy Kambwala on the bench. It remains to be seen if Casemiro has now, in effect, played his final game for the club amid the prospect of a move this summer. Saudi clubs are interested.
Guardiola on his love for Wembley
— ITV Football (@itvfootball) May 25, 2024"It's a nice place to come back every year" 🏟️
Pep Guardiola is no stranger to Wembley. 20 appearances and some iconic wins. Can he add to his 8 final wins? 🤔#FACupFinal | #EmiratesFACup | #MCIMUN pic.twitter.com/kNdhrKsfA0
Your teams in black and white
Manchester City Ortega; Walker, Stones, Ake, Gvardiol; Rodrigo; Bernardo, Kovacic, De Bruyne, Foden; Haaland.
Substitutes Carson, Dias, Grealish, Doku, Alvarez, Akanji, Nunes, Bobb, Lewis.
Manchester United Onana; Wan-Bissaka, Varane, Martinez, Dalot; Amrabat; Mainoo McTominay; Garnacho, Bruno Fernandes, Rashford.
Substitutes Bayindir, Lindelof, Mount, Hojlund, Eriksen, Diallo, Casemiro, Antony, Evans.
Referee Andy Madley (Huddersfield)
Two changes for United
Varane and Rashford replace Casemiro and Diallo.
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) May 25, 2024Say hello to your #FACupFinal Reds 👋
COME ON UNITED!!! 🔴⚪️⚫️#MUFC
City team news
Three changes from last week: Kovacic replaces Doku, Stones for Dias and Ake for Akanji.
— Manchester City (@ManCity) May 25, 2024In the blue corner! 🩵
XI | Ortega Moreno, Walker (C), Stones, Ake, Gvardiol, Rodrigo, Kovacic, De Bruyne, Bernardo, Foden, Haaland
SUBS | Carson, Dias, Grealish, Doku, Alvarez, Akanji, Nunes, Bobb, Lewis#ManCity | @etihad pic.twitter.com/SsmPxmFeCx
Ten Hag hits back
Erik ten Hag hits out at ex-Manchester United players using him as ‘easy prey’
Erik Ten Hag has accused ex-Manchester United players of using him as “easy prey” to keep jobs as pundits during a scathing interview aimed at his critics.
The United manager rounded on his detractors in Dutch publication VI, insisting expectations have not been realistic and even defending disgraced Marc Overmars after his ban for sending inappropriate messages to women.
Ten Hag, ahead of the FA Cup final, insisted the likes of Paul Scholes, Rio Ferdinand and Roy Keane are looking to stay employed when they analyse his United team.
You can read the piece in full here.
Having a bet on the game?
Manchester United have the chance to save an underwhelming season with a shock result today, but most punters’ money will be on their bitter rivals to continue their impressive form. Back your selections for the game on these best betting sites.
Preview: Adieu Ten Hag
Good afternoon and welcome to live coverage of the 143rd FA Cup final, the second in succession between Manchester City and Manchester United and the first to feature the same two teams in back to back seasons since Blackburn Rovers beat the Spiders of Queen’s Park for the second time at Kennington Oval in 1885.
Manchester City, in pursuit of consecutive Doubles and their third overall, are overwhelming favourites given their superiority in talent and experience, their eight years of refinement, outstanding FA charges notwithstanding, under Pep Guardiola. They won 3-0 at Old Trafford in October and 3-1 at the Etihad two months ago, helping them to a 31-point advantage over United by the season’s end. Ten Hag did beat them once, in January 2023, and they were competitive in a relatively dreary Cup final last June, when Alejandro Garnacho should and Raphaël Varane could have equalised at the death.
Whatever the outcome for Manchester United, it has been widely leaked that the Ineos men now calling the shots will sack Ten Hag regardless of result. Being potted by Manchester United in the past 11 years does not make you a bad manager or a bad person. They have been badly run in epic proportions, even in Sir Alex Ferguson’s latter years when he managed to pull of the greatest con trick of them all by winning his final title because Roberto Mancini lost the dressing room at City and Chelsea went to war with their fans by appointing Rafa Benítez as interim manager.
He has made many mistakes, notably in recruitment from the Eredivisie, but has also suffered an injury epidemic that cannot solely be his fault. It has ruined his chances of having them play like his excellent Ajax side, the style that earned him the job, on more than a handful of occasions. Today he starts yet again without a recognised left-back. Both Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia are unavailable, as is Harry Maguire, but Victor Lindelof, Mason Mount and Anthony Martial are all in contention for the bench. For City, Ederson, who broke an eye socket in their penultimate league match against Tottenham is out but likely would not have played anyway. Stefan Ortega, who saved their bacon against Spurs and thwarted Varane last year at Wembley, has been first choice in domestic cup games for two years.
