Man Utd coach Steve McClaren responsible for FA Cup moment that embarrassed Man City star

Manchester United’s assistant coach, Steve McClaren, was responsible for an FA Cup final moment that embarrassed one Manchester City star.

The Reds won the FA Cup final 2-1 in tremendous fashion. They entered the break 2-0 up after first-half goals from Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo.

Mainoo, 19, produced a Man of the Match display in his first-ever cup final in the professional game. His smart finish to double the lead was only one small part of a spectacular performance.

In possession, there are few qualms United fans have had with their teenage prodigy all season. He is press-resistant, calm and knows when to pass or take players on himself.

Perhaps one of the only question marks you could have over this season is his strength defensively. But that, too, was put to bed at Wembley last weekend.

According to The Athletic, Erik ten Hag’s assistant coach, Steve McClaren, has been taking charge of set-piece duties since Eric Ramsay’s mid-season departure.

It was added that McClaren entrusted Mainoo to mark Erling Haaland due to his strength. Sir Alex Ferguson’s former assistant soon proved right about this decision.

Late in the game, after a corner, Haaland attempted to overpower Mainoo in order to connect with a cross. Yet, it was, in fact, the 6’4” Norwegian who flopped to the floor demanding a penalty.

Unfortunately for Pep Guardiola’s side, the United academy graduate had simply outmuscled his counterpart and did enough to distract him as the ball flew towards them.

“It was really incredible to watch Kobbie at his age,” said Ten Hag after the final. “We wanted to bring him [through], and in the second game of the [pre-]season [tour], he got an injury. It then took him so long to get back to fitness.

“I think we have to keep it calm because here in England we do so much in pushing young players high and then hammer them when they have one or two bad performances.”

While it is understandable that Ten Hag limits expectations of the 19-year-old midfielder, McClaren’s set-piece instructions are yet another example that he has quickly earned the trust of fans and coaches alike.