AFP
NOS Voetbal•gisteren, 17:56
Erik ten Hag and Manchester United have saved a foul season by profitable the FA Cup. Within the cup closing, the Dutch coach’s group 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 shiny spots for United this season.
It’s Ten Hag’s second prize as a coach in Manchester. Final 12 months 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, during which the membership completed eighth within the league, rumors a couple of departure for the Dutchman grew stronger by the day.
European soccer
Ten Hag could 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 the whole lot this season for United, this victory didn’t come straightforward. They’d already reached 2-0 earlier than half time, however the closing section, with seven minutes of additional time, was extraordinarily hectic. Simply earlier than the top, Metropolis got here again into the match via a tying aim from Jeremy Doku. Ten Hag may breathe a sigh of reduction, as a result of the 2-2 didn’t fall ultimately.
AFPManchester United fourth 1-0
After Britain’s Prince William shook palms 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 give you. However that was disappointing.
In reality, United confirmed battle 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 again. The central defensive duo that Ten Hag was not often capable of subject this season as a consequence of accidents. It turned out to be the inspiration of the victory.
ReutersTen Hag shakes palms with Prince William earlier than the kick-off
Not often did Metropolis, searching for holes, get via the wall that United had constructed within the first half hour. For many of the first half, Ten Hag’s group had eleven males in its personal half. To stop. And out of the blue they took the lead themselves.
At 1-0, a protracted ball from United fell into the house 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 aim.
AFPMainoo celebrates the 2-0
Shortly after 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 all the first half, however hardly any possibilities. United have been extraordinarily efficient.
Ten Hag trotted into the dressing room earlier than half-time and a overwhelmed Metropolis trudged behind. However the nationwide champion – 4 seasons in a row now – got here out once more after the break as a worthy nationwide champion. A forty five-minute offensive was instantly opened.
Alternatives Metropolis
Phil Foden, Premier League participant of the 12 months, obtained the ball towards the leg when he took a shot in an advantageous place. League high scorer Erling Haaland hit the crossbar. Shortly afterwards, André Onana ducked a shot from Kyle Walker from the nook. And substitute Julian Alvarez aimed simply broad twice within the first twenty minutes after the break.
Metropolis saved attacking and attacking, United saved blocking. Metropolis solely scored the tying aim 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, large 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 purple a part of Manchester is not going to overlook.
