Manchester United defied the odds to dethrone Manchester City 2-1 in the 2024 FA Cup final at the hallowed turf of Wembley Stadium on Saturday, May 25th, 2024. In a pulsating encounter brimming with tension and drama, this historic upset etched United’s name on the trophy for a record-extending 13th time and secured their passage into next season’s Europa League, salvaging a season that had threatened to flounder.
This FA Cup final was a captivating rematch of the 2023 edition, a match etched in City’s history books as part of their historic treble. However, the narrative flipped dramatically this time around. Gone were the memories of City’s suffocating dominance; instead, it was United who rose to the occasion, fueled by a potent blend of tactical ingenuity, youthful exuberance, and an unwavering desire to prove themselves on the biggest stage.
A Tactical Gamble Pays Off: United’s Counter-Punching Masterstroke
United manager Erik ten Hag surprised everyone with his pre-match approach. Eschewing the traditional head-on approach against City’s possession-based juggernaut, he opted for a counter-attacking strategy. This bold move, perceived by many as a gamble, proved to be the catalyst for United’s triumph.
City, as expected, dominated possession from the get-go. Pep Guardiola’s men patiently probed the United defense, stringing together intricate passing sequences. However, United remained resolute, absorbing the pressure with a compact 4-4-2 formation. Their defensive organization, marshalled by the ever-reliable Harry Maguire and a resurgent Raphael Varane, frustrated City’s attacking attempts.
The gamble on the counter-attack was not merely a defensive tactic. United, with their pacey wingers and a mobile midfield, looked to exploit City’s high defensive line at every opportunity. Bruno Fernandes, playing in a deeper role, became the lynchpin in transitioning from defense to attack. His intelligent distribution and pinpoint long-range passes found their targets with precision, igniting United’s counter-attacks with a spark of ingenuity.
United’s Young Guns Take Center Stage: A Night for History Makers
The 30th minute witnessed the birth of a new chapter in Manchester United’s history. A perfectly-weighted long ball from Fernandes found the feet of teenage prodigy Alejandro Garnacho on the right flank. The 19-year-old winger, brimming with confidence, used his blistering pace to outrun Joao Cancelo, City’s left-back. With a composed finish past Ederson Moraes, the City goalkeeper, Garnacho sent a wave of euphoria through the red half of Wembley.
The celebrations had barely subsided when United struck again, this time through another teenager. In the 39th minute, a clever flick-on from Cristiano Ronaldo found Kobbie Mainoo, another 19-year-old midfielder, unmarked at the edge of the City penalty area. Mainoo, demonstrating a maturity beyond his years, took a touch to control the ball before unleashing a powerful shot that rocketed past Ederson and into the net. The roar of the United faithful was deafening, their young heroes etching their names in the annals of FA Cup history as the first pair of teenagers to score in the final.
City Fight Back, But United Remain Unwavering
The two-goal deficit forced Pep Guardiola to reshuffle his tactics. Riyad Mahrez, who had been largely anonymous throughout the first half, became more involved, drifting into central positions in search of space. Kevin De Bruyne, City’s talismanic midfielder, also upped the tempo, threading incisive passes towards Phil Foden and Julian Alvarez. However, United’s defensive resolve remained resolute. Maguire and Varane marshalled their troops with unwavering determination, thwarting City’s attempts to break down their well-organized defensive structure.
The introduction of the pacy Jeremy Doku in the second half offered City a new attacking dimension. His direct running and dribbling ability caused problems for the United defense. Finally, with three minutes remaining, Doku managed to capitalize on a loose ball in the United penalty area, slotting it past David de Gea to give City a lifeline.
The goal ignited a sense of urgency in City’s play. They poured forward relentlessly in search of the equalizer. However, United’s backline, inspired by the leadership of captain Maguire, held firm. Every tackle, every interception, was met with a roar of encouragement from the United faithful. When the final whistle blew, pandemonium erupted in the red half of Wembley. Manchester United, the underdogs, had defied the odds and emerged victorious
