flat4 🇵🇸

#MCFC 1 #MUFC 2. whistle report from Wembley. If this was to be Erik ten Hag’s last game as Manchester United manager he went out in style. He went out as a winner. He went out having outwitted Pep Guardiola. He went out with his team playing more in keeping with United traditions: aggressive, quick, hungry and smart. Not until Jeremy Doku arrived in the second half did Manchester City respond. But United deservedly held on, showing their determination and discipline. And at the final whistle, Ten Hag, his spirits lifted by this dynamic displays, was lifted up by Lisandro Martinez. Why had United not played like this before? Martinez’s return from injury and to fitness strengthened the defence. Kobbie Mainoo was magnificent, best player on the pitch with Bruno Fernandes, outstanding winning the ball, passing and finishing. Ten Hag was key: he got his tactics right, flooding midfield, and using Fernandes effectively as a false 9. His players certainly got their mood right. Like their fans, Mainoo, Fernandes and company were up for this. “Where players enter and legends leave.” United players entered the field at Wembley, passing the call to arms inscribed on a sign about what could unfold for them. Legends or losers? They knew they were playing for a chance of Europe, to meet their fans’ desire to stop City’s Double Double, to have a flat season finish on a high. And they delivered. This was about game management by United, especially in the first half but even late on, deep into second-half added time: the substituted Scott McTominay stopped his walk around the apron of the field to kick a loose ball back on to delay Stefan Ortega taking a goal-kick; then Andre Onana refused to take the proffered ball from Phil Foden, letting it drop, running down the clock. United slowed the game down to frustrate City, then raced through the gears, bringing clinically taken first-half goals for Alejandro Garnacho and Mainoo. United will build around those two. Their squad still needs heavy re-shaping and the likes of Christian Eriksen, Victor Lindelof and Casemiro moved on. Raphael Varane, a Rolls-Royce who has frustratingly spent too long in the garage, has already announced he is off but he rolled back the years here, making some important interceptions. He leaves a winner. United were fired up. Maybe it was their 7-1 odds that they deemed disrespectful. Maybe it was anger about speculation about Ten Hag’s future. Maybe it was also the unconditional backing of their fans. Again. Proper support. Four hours before kick-off, supporters in red shirts queued to enter The Torch pub a half-mile from the ground, chanting “Erik ten Hag’s red-and-white army”. Down the road, United fans in Eric Cantona shirts were heading into “The Crock of Gold” pub. They sang of Ten Hag and of Wembley. They knew they were up against great opponents. They also knew if their players stood up to be counted, playing with pride and commitment and intelligence, that United had a chance. This was Ten Hag’s day. He swamped midfield with Sofyan Amrabat and Mainoo as the double pivot, stifling Foden and Kevin De Bruyne, and looking to hit on the break. The approach worked. On 30 minutes, Josko Gvardiol was spooked by Garnacho’s run, headed over the advancing Ortega and Garnacho ran in to score. Nine minutes later, United doubled their lead against the Double-chasers with a sweeping move. Marcus Rashford started it on the left, switching long and precisely to Garnacho. This was the United of old, going for the jugular without pausing. Fernandes played the ball across first time for Mainoo to remind everyone why he is going to the Euros, possibly even starting for England, with a sharp finish. Pep Guardiola, seething in his smart suit, acted, made three changes within 10 minutes of the restart. Manuel Akanji came on for Nathan Ake. Doku, on for Mateo Kovacic, brought drive and danger down the left. Erling Haaland hit the post with a powerful, sweeping left-footer. Then came a big call from Guardiola, removing his regular catalyst De Bruyne who was disappointing but is capable of a moment of magic, an eye-of-the-needle assist, a 25-yard finish. Julian Alvarez came on, and his first run on goal was seen off by Martinez, his Argentinian colleague. Martinez celebrated with Diogo Dalot. This was United united, all in this together. The siege intensified. Kyle Walker’s drive was pushed over by Andre Onana, who then watched relieved as Alvarez shot wide, a waste of Foden’s fine through-ball. United tired, Martinez went down with cramp, too long for Walker, who pushed him. Martinez was heading off now, withdrawn by Ten Hag. Jonny Evans came on, partnering Varane, 67 years between them. Rasmus Hojlund replaced Rashford, who went off to warm applause. United fans, their noise unebbing, willed them to get over the line. City attacked again, and Mainoo risked a penalty with his grappling of Haaland. Onana punched a Foden corner clear. Sir Alex Ferguson, that great symbol of United defiance, leant forward in his seat. Doku then cut in, and his low shot beat Onana too easily with the clock showing 87. Then came seven minutes of added time, which must have felt a life-time to United. But then came the final whistle, victory in the final, and Martinez lifting Ten Hag. #MCIMUN