AFP
NOS Voetbal•zaterdag, 17:56
Erik ten Hag and Manchester United have saved a nasty season by successful the FA Cup. Within the cup ultimate, the Dutch coach’s workforce defeated main metropolis rival Manchester Metropolis 2-1, to the shock of many. Targets have been scored by two 19-year-old strikers, Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo, one of many few vivid spots for United this season.
It’s Ten Hag’s second prize as a coach in Manchester. Final yr he received the League Cup in his debut season. However the query stays how lengthy Ten Hag will stay a coach at Previous Trafford. After a mediocre season, wherein the membership completed eighth within the league, rumors a couple of departure for the Dutchman grew stronger by the day.
European soccer
Ten Hag might have saved his job in Manchester with this FA Cup victory. What is definite is that European soccer is secured as an FA Cup winner, one thing that eighth place within the competitors didn’t entitle.
Like every little thing this season for United, this victory didn’t come straightforward. That they had already reached 2-0 earlier than half time, however the ultimate part, with seven minutes of additional time, was extraordinarily hectic. Simply earlier than the top, Metropolis got here once more into the match by way of a tying objective from Jeremy Doku. Ten Hag may breathe a sigh of aid, as a result of the 2-2 didn’t fall in the long run.
AFPManchester United fourth 1-0
After Britain’s Prince William shook arms with the gamers and coaches and… God Save The King had been sung by the half-blue, half-red Wembley, United retreated to the positions. Ready for the violence that Metropolis would provide you with. However that was disappointing.
In actual fact, United confirmed combat and focus, precisely what was so usually missing this previous season.
Ten Hag gave Lisandro Martinez a beginning spot, regardless that it was solely the second time for the Argentinian since February, alongside the departing Rapahel Varane on the once more. The central defensive duo that Ten Hag was hardly ever capable of area this season as a result of accidents. It turned out to be the inspiration of the victory.
ReutersTen Hag shakes arms with Prince William earlier than the kick-off
Hardly ever did Metropolis, searching for holes, get by way of the wall that United had constructed within the first half hour. For a lot of the first half, Ten Hag’s workforce had eleven males in its personal half. To stop. And instantly they took the lead themselves.
At 1-0, an extended ball from United fell into the area behind Metropolis’s final line. After miscommunication between Metropolis defender Josko Gvardiol and goalkeeper Stefan Ortega, Gvardiol headed the ball on the ft of Garnacho, who tapped in in entrance of an open objective.
AFPMainoo celebrates the 2-0
Shortly following Marcus Rashford’s 2-0 was disallowed, Kobe Mainoo scored the 2-0 moments later. Garnacho enabled captain Bruno Fernandes to serve Mainoo with a cautious move. Metropolis had the ball for nearly the whole first half, however hardly any possibilities. United have been extraordinarily efficient.
Ten Hag trotted into the dressing room earlier than half-time and a crushed Metropolis trudged behind. However the nationwide champion – 4 seasons in a row now – got here out once more following the break as a worthy nationwide champion. A forty five-minute offensive was instantly opened.
Alternatives Metropolis
Phil Foden, Premier League participant of the yr, acquired the ball towards the leg when he took a shot in an advantageous place. League high scorer Erling Haaland hit the crossbar. Shortly followingwards, André Onana ducked a shot from Kyle Walker from the nook. And substitute Julian Alvarez aimed simply vast twice within the first twenty minutes following the break.
Metropolis stored attacking and attacking, United stored blocking. Metropolis solely scored the tying objective within the 87th minute. Doku, who had been harmful all through the second half, handed Onana within the brief nook. Metropolis additionally had possibilities within the seven-minute damage time, massive and small, however the rating was not 2-2.
If this was Ten Hag’s final sport as coach of Manchester United, it’s one which the pink a part of Manchester is not going to overlook.
