Man City vs Man Utd – FA Cup final LIVE SCORE: United still leading as desperate City ramp up the pressure

Live Blog

Updated: 17:47, 25 May 2024

MANCHESTER UNITED have WON the FA Cup and qualified for the Europa League to stop rivals Man City winning the Double.

Man Utd were in charge at half time after Alejandro Garnacho pounced on a terrible error by Man City defender Josko Gvardiol and Kobbie Mainoo slotted home from a brilliant Bruno Fernandes pass to double the lead before the break.

Jeremy Doku scored a late goal to give City a lifeline but United held on to and Erik ten Hag a trophy in what could be his final game in charge.

MAN CITY VS MAN UTD: FREE BETTING TIPS, ODDS AND PREDICTIONS

Follow ALL the action from Wembley with our live blog below…

Ten Hag takes home trophy

On his ascent up the Wembley steps, Erik ten Hag received a handshake from Sir Jim Ratcliffe – but whether is was a thank you and goodbye handshake remains to be seen.

Whatever happens, the Dutch coach looks determined to treasure this success. After gazing lovingly at the trophy, he kisses the silverware and then lifts it towards the thousands of Manchester United fans inside Wembley as if to say it is for them.

United strike lucky with 13

If today was to be Erik ten Hag’s last game in charge of Manchester United, then he has bowed out on a high by masterminding the club’s 13th FA Cup success.

The win means the Red Devils are now just one behind Arsenal in the last of clubs who have lifted the famous old trophy on the most occasions.

Match stats from Wembley

Manchester United arguably saved their best performance for their 52nd and final game of the 2023-24 campaign.

Erik ten Hag’s team had to soak up a lot of pressure, but came through a tough second half test to triumph.

Teenage kicks from Mainoo man

Manchester United have won the FA Cup – thanks to goals from two teenagers in Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo.

And at full time, 19-year-old Mainoo revealed that this match had been the only one he and his teammates had been thinking about, having watched last season’s FA Cup Final from the stands.

It means absolutely everything. It’s been a tough season with ups and downs, and this is the only thing we’ve had to look forward to. Last year I was watching in the stands.

Kobbie MainooBBC

Full time – Man City 1-2 Man Utd

Manchester United have won the FA Cup!

Andy Madley calls time following one last burst upfield from Rasmus Hojlund, and one half of Wembley explodes with delight.

Erik ten Hag runs on to the pitch in celebration, embraced with Lisandro Martinez, and then recaptures his composure.

A handshake and a hug with Pep Guardiola follows, but then the Dutchman can have his moment – his greatest as Manchester United manager, and most probably his last.

Manchester has been blue for a decade, but it will be painted red tonight!

Man City 1-2 Man Utd

90+6. City push forward but the ball won’t stick for Alvarez on the far side.

It’s Manchester United flags being flown around Wembley. It’s Manchester United voices that can be heard.

Man City 1-2 Man Utd

90+4. United make two more changes, both as a means of reenforcing the defensive banks and eating up a few seconds.

Victor Lindelof and Mason Mount are the men called for as Scott McTominay and Alejandro head off.

Man City 1-2 Man Utd

90+2. Doku – who else? – wins Manchester City a corner.

City pack the box, ready for the inswinger from the left.

It comes over…

…and Onana grasps it with both hands.

Man City 1-2 Man Utd

90. There will be seven minutes of stoppage time to be played.

Seven minutes left for Manchester City to defend their FA Cup.

Send for Paul Dickov.

Man City 1-2 Man Utd

89. It’s all Manchester City now as they pass it around outside the United box, looking for one vital opening.

It eventually falls at the feet of Manuel Akanji, who inexplicably slams it over from 25 yards out.

Man City 1-2 Man Utd

87. With three minutes remaining, Manchester City have got one back!

And it’s no surprise that it’s Jeremy Doku who has given them late hope – albeit thanks to a huge helping hand from Andre Onana.

The City substitute bursts across the penalty area from the left and lets fly with a right-footer towards the bottom corner.

It should be saved by Onana diving to his right, but the goalkeeper is only able to ease the ball into the net at the near post.

In the stands, Sir Alex Ferguson looks at his watch. City couldn’t, could they?

City have hope!

Man City 0-2 Man Utd

85. Five. Minutes. To. Go.

Man City 0-2 Man Utd

83. City are going nowhere. Literally. It’s giving Lee Dixon time to discuss how scruffy Sofyan Amrabat is.

Man City 0-2 Man Utd

81. At the other end, Fernandes whips a free-kick from a similar position straight into the body of Ortega.

There’s no disappointment from those in red, however, as they rush back into their shape.

Less than ten minutes of normal time remain.

Man City 0-2 Man Utd

79. Amrabat is – harshly – adjudged to have fouled Doku just outside of the penalty area.

The United players are furious with the decision which presents a free-kick to City in a very dangerous position.

Alvarez and Foden deliberate over the set-piece for an age before the latter slams a shot straight into the wall.

Man City 0-2 Man Utd

77. Walker forces Onana into another save, this time with a low drive.

The United goalkeeper does well to block, but pushes the ball back into the penalty area.

Before Haaland can act, however, the striker is flagged offside.

Man City 0-2 Man Utd

75. Quarter of an hour remains at Wembley…

…unless City can somehow force extra-time.

Are Pep Guardiola’s team running out of ideas? It’s very much give the ball to Doku and hope at the moment.

Man City 0-2 Man Utd – Man Utd substitutions

73. Jonny Evans and Rasmus Hojlund finally make it on with Lisandro Martinez and Marcus Rashford taking a well-earned rest.

Man City 0-2 Man Utd

72. Man Utd are going to make their changes now, and Lisandro Martinez will take his leave.

However, City captain Kyle Walker believes the United defender isn’t taking it quick enough, and reacts furiously.

The pair clash and go chest-to-chest with plenty of chat and finger pointing to boot.

Man City 0-2 Man Utd

70. Here’s an FA Cup Final throwback.

Lisandro Martinez has gone down with cramp. You don’t see that much these days unless players are trying to waste time.

Man City 0-2 Man Utd

68. Garnacho tests Ortega with a drive towards the near post.

City’s stand-in goalie keeps it out although perhaps with less certainty than he should have.

Man City 0-2 Man Utd

66. Manchester United’s coaching staff are busy in the dugout and preparing changes, one of which was due to involve Jonny Evans on for Lisandro Martinez.

However, Martinez has determinedly told the bench that he does not want to come off and is fit enough to play on.

Man City 0-2 Man Utd

64. Alvarez in on goal again…

…and again he passes up the opportunity.

Neat build-up play from City unlocks the United defence, only for the Argentine to sidefoot wide – and well wide, it has to be said – when confronted with only Onana.