Manchester United have been beaten 2-1 in the FA Cup final by rivals Man City.
I am not angry with our performance which is a good place to start. We knew United would be up against it today but Erik ten Hag’s side were solid throughout.
The loss comes as a blow because United have made a lot of progress this season. It also helps show how far we are behind the likes of City, who we want to be competing with for the Premier League title next season.
Here are three talking points from United’s heartbreaking loss to City at Wembley.
Caught by Man City’s fast start
Conceding 13 seconds into a cup final is the worst possible start we could have imagined. I remember thinking that we could be in for a cricket scoreline if we allowed ourselves to drop our heads. Thankfully, that didn’t happen but I still find myself asking ‘what if’ City didn’t have suck a lucky start.
Stefan Ortega sent the ball long up the pitch to Erling Haaland, who knocked the ball down for Ilkay Gundogan to volley past David de Gea. There was nothing the Spaniard could have done with that.
You can only imagine how much conceding this goal effected Ten Hag’s game plan for the final.
David de Gea doubt is growing
I’ve already said that De Gea cannot get any share of the blame for Gundogan first goal, but he is not getting away with the second goal.
You could argue De Gea sees it late, but then I’m going to question his positioning. It also hardly explains how he only got a weak hand to the ball.
On top of everything else, De Gea’s distribution is a real weakness for this side. How many times do you see our players put under needless pressure?
This team will bounce back under Erik ten Hag
Manchester United fans are bound to level Wembley disappointed this evening, but it’s been a fantastic season and we’ve got so much to feel optimistic about going into next season.
Perhaps not on the takeover front, but I’m specifically talking about the job Ten Hag has done in his first season.
Third place and a League Cup trophy is not something to scoff at! Let’s hope we can build again with a strong summer transfer window.
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I don’t know why you are absolving de Gea of any blame for the 1st goal.What was he doing off the line so prematurely?And not even an attempt at diving to keep that long range shot out.Maybe I’m being too harsh but I still feel he could have done better even for that first goal.
Lets be honest the real problem with this team is we cant score goals .Every body says that last year was a disaster yet we have only scored one more goal than last year in the league .Apart from Rashford , Garnacho and Pellistri I don’t think that any of our other forwards are good enough and in the midfield only Casemiro and Bruno are top standard .As for goal keeper Matej Kovar has had a great season on loan maybe he could be the answer to the goal keeper situation
True dat. The team has been toothless for years now. If Rashford dont score then United usually lose. Anthony doesnt seem to be the real deal. Definitely overpaid for him. How many goals now since he came? 5 or 6. Way below par imo. Should get Kane asap and Raphina frm Barca
Now ARSENAL will play in community shield. Damn!! this hurts.
You are 100% right BangBang about Anthony he has not lived up to his price tag and unless he learns to cross the ball with his right foot he is just a waste of time