Erik ten Hag put hypothesis over his future to 1 aspect by main Manchester United to FA Cup glory with a surprising 2-1 victory over Premier League champions Manchester Metropolis at Wembley.
A lot of the build-up to the sport had centred round Ten Hag’s future with reviews on Friday suggesting United had determined to half firm with the Dutchman whatever the consequence within the showpiece remaining.
If it was to be his remaining match in cost, the United gamers gave him the final word send-off as first-half targets from Alejandro Garnacho, who pounced on a calamitous mix-up between Josko Gvardiol and Stefan Ortega, and Kobbie Mainoo left Pep Guardiola’s aspect surprised.
Manchester Metropolis tried to discover a manner again into the sport within the second half, however Erling Haaland’s strike rattled the crossbar earlier than Andre Onana twice stored out long-range efforts from Kyle Walker. Nevertheless, Onana could not maintain out substitute Jeremy Doku’s strike as Metropolis pulled a aim again within the 87th minute to arrange a grandstand end.
The Metropolis followers roared as seven minutes of stoppage time have been introduced by the fourth official, nevertheless it was United followers celebrating on the sound of the full-time whistle as their aspect held on to cease their rivals from changing into the primary aspect to safe back-to-back league and FA Cup doubles.
FA Cup glory sees United add a second piece of silverware beneath Ten Hag, following up their Carabao Cup win from final season. It additionally sees Manchester United put a disappointing league season behind them by sealing Europa League qualification, however the query stays as as to if Ten Hag will lead them into subsequent season.
Ten Hag on his Man Utd future: ‘I do not know’ | Keane: Fingers crossed they help the supervisor
Erik ten Hag
When requested about his future after the sport, Ten Hag mentioned: “I do not know. All I can do is put together my staff, develop my staff, progress my staff. It is a undertaking. After I got here in it was a large number, now we’re higher. However we’re by far the place we need to be.
“Football is about winning trophies. I want to play the best football. I want to play dynamic football. But you have to win games and trophies. That’s the mentality we’ve brought in. We only had one opportunity, the FA Cup and we did it. I’m so proud of the players and staff.”
In the meantime, former Man Utd captain Roy Keane hopes the membership again Ten Hag after the FA Cup win.
He mentioned: “We don’t know if a decision has been made, we know the pressure the manager is under and the questions before the game. It’s always difficult when you are preparing for a cup final.
“In soccer it’s important to take pleasure in these moments, the employees, the gamers, the supporters. After which cross the bridge in terms of it. The supervisor has achieved his job at the moment. Beating Man Metropolis in a FA Cup remaining is an additional bonus. Fingers crossed they help the supervisor.”
How Ten Hag led United to FA Cup glory…
In what was a breathless begin to the sport, Marcus Rashford regarded to burst by way of on the Manchester Metropolis aim solely to be denied by Walker, earlier than the sport’s first big flashpoint got here.
Bernardo Silva’s cross was aimed toward Haaland, who seemed to be bundled over by Lisandro Martinez within the penalty space. Referee Andy Madley waved away the large Manchester Metropolis appeals, and the verify of the incident by VAR did not result in a evaluate in what was an enormous name so early on within the match.
Erling Haaland falls after a problem by Lisandro Martinez
After that early scare, Manchester United settled into the sport properly. As anticipated, Pep Guardiola’s aspect dominated the ball, however United regarded properly drilled and poised to strike on the counter. The primary shot on track within the recreation fell to Ten Hag’s aspect with Bruno Fernandes selecting out Garnacho on the appropriate, however the winger’s shot was straight at goalkeeper Ortega.
Manchester Metropolis have been uncharacteristically sloppy with easy passes not discovering their goal, and it was an enormous mix-up on the coronary heart of the Metropolis defence which led to the opening aim of the sport.
Garnacho chased a routine ball excessive of the Manchester Metropolis defence earlier than a calamitous mix-up between Gvardiol and Ortega allowed the Argentine winger to complete into an empty web. It is a second Gvardiol, who headed the ball over the onrushing Ortega, and the goalkeeper will need to overlook.
The United celebrations acquired even louder simply earlier than the break as Mainoo’s strike prolonged the lead. Rashford began the transfer with a nice cross-field go to Garnacho earlier than Fernandes’ deft flick teed up Mainoo to ship United into the break in dreamland.
Rodri tangles with Bruno Fernandes
Guardiola reacted to Metropolis’s sluggish efficiency with a double change on the break as Manuel Akanji and Doku changed Mateo Kovacic and Nathan Ake. The champions have been in search of an immediate response they usually nearly acquired one by way of Haaland, however his strike rattled the crossbar as United’s two-goal benefit stayed intact.
Guardiola was compelled into one other big name as Metropolis regarded for a manner again into the competition, changing the ineffective De Bruyne with Julian Alvarez with 56 minutes on the clock. The possibilities began to return for Metropolis however the targets did not observe. Andre Onana pulled off a surprising save to maintain out Kyle Walker’s highly effective effort earlier than Alvarez poked extensive of the far submit to depart Guardiola along with his head in his arms.
Metropolis ultimately acquired a lifeline when Doku’s low shot squeezed previous Onana late on nevertheless it proved to be only a comfort as United held on to win the FA Cup for a thirteenth time of their historical past.
‘When the gamers are match we will play good soccer’
Erik ten Hag embraces Andre Onana after the ultimate whistle
Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag:
“All compliments to the team. We played very good to our identity. Very strong. You have seen how we can play when we have the players on board. Some were not even match fit but the performance was very good.
“I let you know [media] this all yr – when the gamers are match we will play good soccer. An excellent efficiency in opposition to one of the best staff on this planet.
“With a local rivalry it’s there and it’s much more important when you play a team from your own city. But for us it wasn’t about this, it was to prove a point after so many setbacks. The team showed so much resilience and I’m proud of them.”
On if criticism of his staff has been unfair: “I think so. The team. Me as well. It was not right.
“However we did not have the gamers. Now we have seen the identical issues, not at all times good soccer – positively not – however we needed to make compromises on a regular basis after which you may’t play the soccer you need to play.
“I had maybe three or four times in two years we had the full squad available. Even today we were missing massive players like Harry Maguire, Luke Shaw and Casemiro.”
Keane: A correct Man Utd efficiency
Goalscorers Kobbie Mainoo and Alejandro Garnacho have a good time after Manchester United take a 2-0 lead in opposition to Manchester Metropolis
Sky Sports activities’ Roy Keane talking on ITV:
“It was amazing. A proper Manchester United performance.
“They have been dogged, sat in and performed some good soccer, scoring two targets. They’d confidence from the previous two video games.
“I’ve been critical of Bruno [Fernandes] over the years, but I’ve been proven wrong, his leadership was outstanding. I’ve always mentioned how brilliant he is as a player.
“It’s been a frustrating few months and City weren’t at their best but it’s about Manchester United. You’ve got enjoy these moments.
“I am actually happy for United. I had a humorous feeling this morning that they’d flip up and win the cup. I can not put my finger on however I am delighted they’ve achieved it.
“The league form has to improve but you have to enjoy these moments. This is what you want when you play for Manchester United – you want more of it. There’s the expectation.”
It was such an enormous job for Manchester United to return right here and beat the champions and I assumed they have been completely improbable. The resilience they’ve proven, the work charge, the trouble, the will to attain targets. They deserved the victory.
Evaluation: Has Ten Hag given Ratcliffe a dilemma?
Sky Sports activities’ Nick Wright:
The build-up to the sport was dominated by hypothesis over Erik ten Hag’s future, with one newspaper report going so far as to say the choice to sack him had already been made.
It will be no shock if certainly half proprietor Sir Jim Ratcliffe had come to that conclusion. Manchester United’s eighth-placed end was their worst within the Premier League period; their factors whole the bottom. It had been a desperately poor marketing campaign.
However Ten Hag has at the least given him pause for thought. The Dutchman is adamant it will have been totally different if not for his or her accidents. This victory, wherein returning trio Raphael Varane, Lisandro Martinez and Marcus Rashford performed key roles, provided some vindication.
Ten Hag can level to these circumstances, and a report of two trophy wins in two years. He can level to the event of Kobbie Mainoo and Alejandro Garnacho beneath his watch. Nevertheless it stays to be seen whether or not there are too many crimson flags for Ratcliffe.
Pep: My recreation plan did not work
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After shedding the FA Cup remaining to fierce rivals Manchester United, Manchester Metropolis’s Pep Guardiola took duty for the consequence, blaming his techniques for his or her defeat.
Man Metropolis boss Pep Guardiola took the blame for Saturday’s FA Cup remaining defeat to Man Utd.
“First of all congratulations to Man Utd,” he informed his post-match press convention. “My game plan wasn’t good. The second half was much better. We were more intense.
“The gamers know the explanation why. Tactically it wasn’t good. You propose for a recreation and totally different positions, nevertheless it did not work. As at all times in opposition to United, we had management however, [not] like we did within the second-half, we could not create.
Pep Guardiola reacts throughout the FA Cup remaining vs Man Utd
“We are disappointed today. It’s normal when a team loses the final, but this season has been extraordinary.
“Now we have challenged for all of the trophies in a great way. We now must relaxation and are available again.”
What’s subsequent?
The 2023/24 season has reached its conclusion however planning has already began for the brand new marketing campaign.
A number of Premier League sides have confirmed pre-season friendlies forward of the 2024/25 time period, which kicks off on the weekend of August 17/18, whereas others have given recent kits an early airing.
The home season begins the earlier weekend and marks the launch of Sky Sports +, giving more choice to sports fans via live streams and a new dedicated channel, at no extra cost. In a broadcasting first, every game in the Championship, League One and League Two will be streamed live on the opening weekend of the 2024/25 EFL season.
Stand by for another busy summer in the transfer window – clubs can do business from June 14 until August 30 and the Sky Sports Switch Centre will maintain you posted with all the newest information and rumours.
Euro 2024 is simply weeks away, too. Hold monitor of England’s Euro fixtures, take a look at the full event schedule in Germany and be a part of us on skysports.com
