If this was Erik ten Hag’s last recreation in control of Manchester United, it was a sensational option to exit.
Towards the backdrop of intense hypothesis that he’s about to be fired, Ten Hag and United shocked defending champion Manchester Metropolis, 2-1, to raise the FA Cup at Wembley on Saturday.
Receiving his medal from the long run king of England, Prince William, the Dutchman then obtained his arms on his second trophy in as many seasons to finish a troubled marketing campaign on a excessive.
Is it sufficient to save lots of his job?
“I’m not happy with it,” a defiant Ten Hag mentioned. “Now we have to do higher, and in the event that they don’t need me anymore, then I am going elsewhere to win trophies — as a result of that’s what I did my complete profession. We’re setting up a group and once I took over it was a multitude at Manchester United.”
First-half objectives from Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo arrange the win. Metropolis piled the strain on after the break and finally pulled a late purpose again by way of substitute Jeremy Doku.
United’s house owners have been watching on from the manager seats at Wembley and have a choice to make.
“We’re all very happy with the gamers and the employees who work tirelessly to assist them,” new co-owner Jim Ratcliffe mentioned.
The British billionaire purchased a 27.7% stake in United in February and is overhauling the membership. There’s widespread anticipation that Ten Hag will develop into the most recent casualty of his revamp, whatever the cup last triumph.
That concept shall be put to the check after this win, which disadvantaged crosstown rival Metropolis of the primary back-to-back English league and cup doubles and likewise noticed United qualify for the Europa League subsequent season.
“My recreation plan was not good,” Metropolis supervisor Pep Guardiola mentioned.
Ten Hag obtained his ways spot on as United soaked up strain and pounced to take management by the break.
Garnacho opened the scoring within the thirtieth minute, sparking panic in Metropolis’s protection when chasing onto a hopeful punt from Diogo Dalot deep in his half. Josko Gvardiol was faster to the ball, however his headed again cross went over the onrushing Metropolis goalkeeper Stefan Ortega to depart Garnacho with an open web to faucet residence.
If that purpose benefited from luck, United’s second 9 minutes later got here from a slick assault, with Garnacho on the coronary heart of it once more when reducing in from the best wing and enjoying in Bruno Fernandes.
The United captain hit a first-time no-look cross to Mainoo, who coolly slotted previous Ortega.
The ultimate was a repeat of final 12 months’s, which Metropolis gained 2-1, and Pep Guardiola’s group didn’t hand over its trophy and not using a combat. Doku’s lengthy vary shot within the 87th arrange a nervy end.
By that time, Erling Haaland had hit the bar, Kyle Walker had compelled goalkeeper Andre Onana into two outstretched saves, and substitute Julian Alvarez missed the goal from shut vary with solely the keeper to beat.
It’s United’s thirteenth FA Cup, one behind Arsenal’s document of 14. And it’s Ten Hag’s second trophy after successful the League Cup final 12 months.
Gamers and employees embraced him on the sector after the ultimate whistle and followers cheered rapturously as he went to gather the trophy in entrance of the co-owners, Individuals Joel and Avram Glazer and Ratcliffe.
Victory, nonetheless, got here after United’s worst league season in 34 years.
“It’s been a troublesome season with ups and downs,” Mainoo mentioned. “That is the one factor we’ve needed to stay up for. We knew we needed to come collectively. The preparation for this recreation has been superb.
“We’ve proven we are able to compete and win video games.”
Reporting by The Related Press.
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