Five things we learned from The FA Cup Final: Erik ten Hag fights and Mainoo shines
RISING STAR: Manchester United's Kobbie Mainoo celebrates with the FA Cup. Photo credit: John Walton/PA Wire.
Erik Ten Hag’s post-match press conference showed that whatever his future, the Dutchman will only go out fighting.
In a feisty response to rumours that he could lose his job despite beating Manchester City in the FA Cup Final, Ten Hag was clear.
He said: “I don’t think about this. I’m in a project and we’re exactly where we want to be. When we arrived it was a mess at Manchester United. And we are on our way to constructing a team for the future.
“We have a value in the squad. We have high potential and we have won two trophies in two years. I’m not satisfied with that, I want more.
“But if they don’t want me any more then anywhere else I go I will go to win trophies.
“I’m here to win and I’m here to build the team. And that’s what I’m doing.
“In the last years there were not so many finals for this club, not so many trophies. Not so many young talents coming through.
“How many times do I have to tell you this? Every time it’s the same question. Do I have to repeat myself 10 or 15 times?
“I’m here to win and to build the team. So, if you don’t want me anymore. If I go anywhere else I will keep going and do what I did my whole managing career. Winning games, winning trophies.”
A goal and a Man of the Match award in an FA Cup Final at the age of just 19 is quite remarkable, but the youngster’s performance deserves all the plaudits coming his way.
The midfielder was everywhere on the Wembley pitch. One minute winning tackles in midfield, the next gliding past players as if they weren’t there, and then arriving in the box to produce a calm finish from a wondering assist by Bruno Fernandes.
United’s second goal against City in the Cup Final was possibly the highlight of the afternoon, a Rolls Royce of a goal; and Mainoo’s finish was just perfect.
It gives him a strong chance of going to Euro 2024 with the England squad and at 19 he has the potential to become a focal point of United’s team for a long time to come.
He was one of few players to deliver a total vindication of manager Erik Ten Hag in the build-up to the final, describing the part the Dutchman has played in his development, and his rise could also be one of the trump cards for Ten Hag as he bids to keep hold of his job.
The United manager said: “He was really so enjoyable to watch. At his age. He’s an example. But I think we have to keep it calm. Here in England, they are very good to push players too high and then hammer them with one or two bad performances."
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola refused to blame his players for a tepid and disjointed first half in the FA Cup Final in which they appeared to be rattled by the intensity of United’s pressing and tackling. Instead, he insisted it was down to him.
He said: “It was me. We were not in the right position to attack them. It was my mistake. The game plan was not good, I think. The players were focused and how we arrived in the second half was better. We had the chances to come back but we scored the goal a little bit late.
“We are disappointed to lose, which is normal, no team likes to lose a final. But this season has still been extraordinary, fighting for all the trophies in a good way.”
City’s Premier League victory parade is planned for Sunday and manager Pep Guardiola insists that losing the FA Cup Final to rivals Manchester United will not prevent it going ahead – or prevent his players enjoying it.
At the end of the game at Wembley the Spaniard went onto the pitch to hug every single member of his squad and urge them to keep their chins up and think about what they have achieved.
So, Sunday’s parade through the streets of Manchester is still a chance to party.
Guardiola said: “When you lose a final you are disappointed but we will celebrate our journey in the Premier League. We won a lot of points and the journey was really good. We have to bee so proud and celebrate what we have done.
“When I went onto the pitch at the end it was like ‘come on’. We talked and hugged each other. Now we are said but on Sunday we celebrate what we have achieved and go again.”
Argentina’s World Cup winner Lisandro Martinez, 26, may have played only 11 games in the Premier League this season but when he is fit, he’s vital for the team.
The defender returned to face City in the FA Cup Final at Wembley and was hugely influential in United’s victory, niggling City at every opportunity and bringing a dynamic energy and edge to the Old Trafford side’s defending.
United fans online described him as a ‘proper leader’ for the way he drove United, and they were right. He was outstanding. What could have United have achieved this season had he been fit all year?
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