December 24, 2024

Man Utd player ratings: Garnacho shines in FA Cup final but De Gea blunder yet again costs Ten Hag’s men

Garnacho #Garnacho

MANCHESTER UNITED lost the FA Cup Final to rivals Manchester City at Wembley.

City defeated United 2-1 and made a strong case of emulating their foes’ legendary Treble triumph in 1999 with only the Champions League left to conquer.

Manchester United lost 2-1 to Manchester City at the FA Cup Final

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Manchester United lost 2-1 to Manchester City at the FA Cup FinalCredit: PA Manchester City won the FA Cup after beating Manchester United

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Manchester City won the FA Cup after beating Manchester UnitedCredit: AFP

The Premier League champions opened the scoring after just 12 seconds when Ilkay Gundogan scored the fastest ever goal in an FA Cup Final with a stunning volley.

The Red Devils, though, earned a controversial penalty in the 33rd minute after VAR deemed Jack Grealish committed a handball before Bruno Fernandes converted.

However, City wouldn’t be denied as Gundogan netted another volley on 51 minutes after another brilliant assist by Kevin De Bruyne.

Erik ten Hag’s men struggled against Pep Guardiola’s machine but SunSport’s Martin Blackburn brings you United’s best and worst from the historic final:

DAVID DE GEA – 4

No chance with the first goal but should have done better with Gundogan’s second. Mistakes happening too often now.

AARON WAN BISSAKA – 7

Got the nod over Diogo Dalot and did a decent job on Grealish in the first half and won United the penalty to get back in the game.

VICTOR LINDELOF – 6

Failed to clear his lines in the build up to City opener but pulled himself together and did his bit to snuff out the Erling Haaland threat.

RAPHAEL VARANE – 7

Showed his quality to keep Haaland quiet but a volley over at the back post when the scores were level was a key moment. Hit the bar late on.

LUKE SHAW – 6

Had his hands full trying to track the lively Bernardo Silva but stuck to his task well – not much threat going forward though.

FRED – 6

Had not woken up when City got their first goal as he did not track back. Relieved to get away with his challenge on De Bruyne in the box.

CASEMIRO – 6

Might have done better with the opening goal and lucky to get away with poor challenge on Manuel Akanji.

CHRISTIAN ERIKSEN – 5

Struggled to get on the ball due to City’s press and lack of mobility exposed. No surprise he was replaced by Garnacho.

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Manchester United star David de Gea conceded the fastest goal in FA Cup Final history

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Manchester United star David de Gea conceded the fastest goal in FA Cup Final historyCredit: Getty Bruno Fernandes temporarily equalised for Manchester United

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Bruno Fernandes temporarily equalised for Manchester UnitedCredit: Alamy BRUNO FERNANDES – 6

Rolled in the penalty with confidence and tried to drive his team forward but could not make an impact.

JADON SANCHO – 5

Did his bit defensively by trying to mark John Stones but could not make any impact from an attacking point of view.

MARCUS RASHFORD – 6

Looked a danger when he ran at City. Header wide in the first half and blazed one over after the break.

Subs: Alejandro Garnacho stood out for Manchester United at Wembley

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Alejandro Garnacho stood out for Manchester United at WembleyCredit: Getty ALEJANDRO GARNACHO for Eriksen 62 – 7

So close to an equaliser with a delightful curler.

WOUT WEGHORST for Sancho 78 – 5

Could not salvage the game on what is surely his farewell.

SCOTT MCTOMINAY for Lindelof 82 – 5

Almost forced extra time with late header.

Not Used: Butland, Maguire, Malacia, Dalot, Pellistri, Elanga.

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