Manchester United were beaten in the FA Cup final by two stellar goals from Ilkay Gundogan, meaning Manchester City’s hopes of a historic Treble are very much on.
Gundogan got the ball rolling with awesome power with 13 seconds on the clock at Wembley, thumping a volley into the net to give City the lead with the fastest goal ever scored in an FA Cup final.
United were level through Bruno Fernandes’s first-half penalty when VAR deemed Jack Grealish’s handball from point-blank range to be worthy of a spot-kick.
But City were the side lifting the trophy because Gundogan scored again in the second half, volleying into the net from Kevin De Bruyne’s free-kick when David de Gea ought to have done much better.
It was a goal from which United could not recover, and it killed their hopes of a domestic cup double.
Dom Smith was at Wembley to rate the United players…
David de Gea — 4
It remains to be seen whether United opt to upgrade De Gea this summer, but his performance at Wembley did little to convince his employers that they should stick with him. Conceded Gundogan’s second far too easily.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka — 7
Busy throughout, with an up-and-down display on the right. One of the Red Devils’ best players. Got a bit lucky to win a penalty when heading against Grealish’s outstretched hand.
Victor Lindelof — 6
Kept Erling Haaland at bay well, and rarely lost the ball. Has filled in well for Lisandro Martinez while the Argentine has been out injured.
Raphael Varane — 6
Squandered a huge opportunity when he slammed over from a corner with the score locked at 1-1, but defended well.
Luke Shaw — 6
Pretty anonymous outing from the left-back. Didn’t make many errors but struggled to carry the ball forward out wide for United.
Fred — 6
His typical bustling, hustling self. Calm and composed on the ball when United needed just that to slow themselves down and start building once more.
Casemiro — 6
Poor studded challenge on Manuel Akanji went unpunished early on. Otherwise tidy.
Jadon Sancho — 6
Made one fantastic marauding run through a packed City defence and into the box in the second half. Struggled to get into the game for long periods, though.
Christian Eriksen — 6
Bit of an afternoon to forget really. Offered a very limited impact before being subbed for Alejandro Garnacho after 62 minutes.
Bruno Fernandes — 7
Scored from the spot with City’s full support bearing down on him. Involved in many of United’s better attacks.
Marcus Rashford — 7
Had one decent shot in the second half which flew just over, but never really got the service he required. Grew into the game, to his credit.
Subs
Alejandro Garnarcho (for Eriksen, 62’) — 7
Made a real impact off the bench, so nearly curling United level with 20 minutes to go. The shot just didn’t quite bend enough.
Wout Weghorst (for Sancho, 78’) — N/A
Scott McTominay (for Lindelof, 83’) — N/A
