Hilarious FA Cup final moment showed Man United learned from past mistakes

Manchester United won 2-1 against Manchester City in the FA Cup final on Saturday afternoon, with goals from Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo securing the win.

Manchester United showcased their best performance of the season by triumphing over Manchester City in the FA Cup final under Erik ten Hag.

United took control early in the match, with Alejandro Garnacho opening the scoring after a mix-up at the back for City.

The momentum remained with United, and just before halftime, Kobbie Mainoo, who was later named Player of the Match, doubled their advantage with a superb finish.

Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City, the Premier League champions, found themselves on the back foot, struggling against United’s tactical prowess and disciplined play.

Despite a late goal from Jeremy Doku, City couldn’t overcome United’s solid defence, and Ten Hag’s side lifted the cup for the first time since 2016.

However, after Doku’s goal, it seemed like all United fans were prepared for one outcome. Another goal from their rivals and the game to be forced into extra-time.

There were less than 10 minutes remaining in the game, yet it felt inevitable after the season the team has experienced. They have constantly thrown away leads and struggled to see out games.

Even before this campaign, United had not been game-smart at the end of matches in recent years. This was completely the opposite on Saturday, however.

The Reds defended excellently after Doku’s goal, and Rasmus Højlund was brilliant at holding the ball up and getting the team up the pitch when needed.

Yet, one moment stood out in those final minutes, and it was from a player who wasn’t even on the pitch.

Scott McTominay had been brought off for Mason Mount in the 93rd minute of the game, he walked off the far side of the pitch and walked behind Stefan Ortega’s goal.

Then came one moment from Bruno Fernandes, who was excellent all game, in the 95th minute as he attempted to lob the City goalkeeper from close to the half-way line. It was probably the wrong decision from the captain, who could’ve tried to keep possession, win a foul or clip the ball into the channel.

Ortega was keen to get the ball, which had gone behind the City goal, and restart an attack with less than 100 seconds remaining in the game.

McTominay, however, picked up a ball from behind the goal and threw it onto the pitch. Ortega chucked the ball he picked up back onto the sidelines and then ran to pick up the ball inside his box.

It was a small thing, and McTominay received a booking for his interruption. Yet, it was indicative of United’s approach in the final minutes. Disrupt.

And that’s what gets teams over the line in big games. Last year’s FA Cup defeat to Pep Guardiola’s men saw the winners hold the ball in the corner and waste time with moments to go.

For a United team that is so often weak going into these situations, it was both quite funny and impressive to see McTominay booked for that moment in the closing stages. And it matched the approach from the entire team.