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Manchester City win the FA Cup after defeating Manchester United 2-1. City, who won the Premier League with games to spare, came into this one against United knowing that if they won, they would be one step closer to achieving a historic treble.

Pep Guardiola’s Man City side couldn’t have got a better start. City skipper Ilkay Gundogan fired his side ahead after just 12 seconds, which is the fastest goal in the history of this famous tournament.

The Cityzens, after this rampant start, nearly went two up, but Rodri saw his header flashed wide. Manchester United, who ended their six-year trophy drought by winning the Carabao Cup, earlier in the season, were shell-shocked by Manchester City’s start.

City’s opening goal was very un-Man City-like. Goalkeeper for the day Stefan Ortega, kicked upfield to Erling Haaland would lose his aerial duel, but the resultant knockdown, which was provided inadvertently by Manchester United defender Victor Lindelof, helped Gundogan launch an unstoppable volley into the corner of David De Gea’s goal.

To their credit, The Red Devils stayed in the game, but only just. City although not getting out of third gear, still had the chance to kill off the game at such an early stage. The Red Devils did get back into the game, all be it controversially.

What was controversial was the awarding of a penalty where Jack Grealish’s hands were so high up in the air, he could have been mistaken for trying to stop someone shooting a hoop in basketball. United were the benefactor of a poorly implemented law.

Football fans, think along the lines of Presnel Kimpembe in the Champions League when PSG were at home to Manchester United and the Parisians conceded a late-late goal which knocked them out of the tournament that year.

Although United didn’t offer too much going forward, bar the well-taken penalty by their captain Bruno Fernandes, right-back Aaron Wan-Bissaka, who has had his critics this season and last had a good game.

City’s golden boy Grealish who has been in brilliant form post-World Cup Qatar 2022, was well-martialled by AWB. The second half was a different story as the former Palace man arguably tired.

United as a team tired and arguably let their heads drop too, after captain Ilkay Gundogan who was inexplicably unmarked from a corner, volleyed home what proved to be the winner.

Pep’s City were rewarded for getting back into the game after being hard done by, by VAR. The Blues at the point of the goal were threatening to turn the screw, but United would hold firm.

Sadly for them, City held firm too. John Stones was outstanding yet again for Premier League champions Manchester City as was captain Ilkay Gundogan.
In recent weeks, the speculation has been rife, that the Germany international is to leave the club, if the former Dortmund continues to perform at this level, he will be missed sorely.

As for Manchester United, they will be left to wonder what could have been, The Red Devils were in reality well beaten by the better side. Bar Aaron Wan Bissaka and second-half substitute Alejandro Garnacho, didn’t perform as an attacking unit.

There was plenty of endeavour, but they lacked the quality that Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City have in abundance. What would also be a concern for United’s manager was the performance of goalkeeper David De Gea, who was poor.

Spaniard De Gea, who’s not well known for his kicking, was caught out many times by his poor distribution. Man United’s number one at times, invited unnecessary pressure onto his midfield and defence.

Maybe City were conserving energy for next week’s Champions League final, but both teams need to strengthen for varying reasons this summer.

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