The reactions from Sir Alex Ferguson and David Beckham summed up how every Manchester United fan felt after Ilkay Gundogan’s stunning opening goal.
The United legends were both in attendance at Wembley as Erik ten Hag targeted a cup double in his first year in charge. From a City perspective, United were one of two obstacles remaining as the club chased down a potential treble and moved a step closer to matching the feat only previously achieved by Ferguson’s United side in 1999.
However, United’s hopes of lifting the FA Cup were dented almost immediately as Gundogan’s impressive volley found the net after just 12 seconds. It was a record-breaking goal from the City captain and TV cameras caught the bemused reactions of both Beckham and Ferguson as the club legends struggled to comprehend the early setback.
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In a side-by-side video shared on social media, Gundogan’s goal caused former England skipper Beckham to ponder what he had just seen as he sat slumped with his hand covering the bottom half of his face. The camera then cut to Ferguson.
The treble-winning United boss fixed his glasses and shook his head in disbelief as the cub made the worst possible start at Wembley. The final shot of Ferguson showed the 81-year-old grimacing after seeing the ball hit the net as he came to terms with the uphill task the club now had in front of them.
United fans would have been forgiven for fearing that there was potentially worse to come, particularly after their heavy defeat to City earlier in the season. However, captain Bruno Fernandes brought the team back level from the penalty spot before the break.
City were soon back in front after the interval, though. Kevin De Bruyne’s free-kick found Gundogan on the edge of the box and David de Gea could not prevent the midfielder from scoring his second of the game. Victory moves City to one win away from matching the 1999 United side that included Beckham ahead of next weekend’s Champions League final against Inter Milan.
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