The FA Cup final is expected to be an easy coronation for Man City. They just ended the Premier League campaign with the crown for the 4th consecutive season, while MU finished 8th to have the worst result in the Premier League era.
MU’s attack punished Man City impressively within 9 minutes of the first half
But the start between the two teams created a surprise. Man City did not have an overwhelming number of opportunities against their opponents, and from minutes 30 to 39, MU scored 2 goals thanks to young stars Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo. Garnacho took advantage of Josko Gvardiol’s careless header to open the score, before Mainoo took advantage of Bruno Fernandes’ pass to increase the score to 2-0.
Although Man City’s defense has had times of lapses this season, they have never made serious mistakes so continuously. Gvardiol made a direct mistake in the first goal, and in the second goal, Man City’s midfield did not have anyone standing in the area before the 16m50 circle to deal with Fernandes moving in from the second line.
Both of MU’s goals in the first half came from young talents who grew up at the Carrington training facility.
Man City and MU face off in the 2023/24 FA Cup final. Coach Erik Ten Hag clearly showed his intention to defend tightly when he let Fernandes play on Garnacho and Rashford. All remaining MU players are focused on protecting Onana’s goal.
At the beginning of the match, 11 MU players often defended in the second half of the home team’s field. This makes it difficult for Man City to reach the goal. Pep Guardiola’s students had to use wing crosses but it was ineffective.
MU relied on the speed of Rashford and Garnacho to counterattack but was ineffective. The surprise came in the 30th minute. The situation was not dangerous, but Gvardiol and Ortega did not understand each other and Garnacho got the easiest goal of his career to open the match.
Receiving a painful defeat, Man City pressed forward, but what they received was the next goal. In the 39th minute, MU had an exemplary attack and Bruno Fernandes created a beautiful assist for Mainoo to score. This was also the last goal in the first half.