This FA Cup final showed how far Manchester United are from Manchester City. United can be proud of their efforts and have had a good season under Erik ten Hag.
They have moved forward and have the League Cup and Champions League qualification to show. But this match made it perfectly clear that there is a rift between Treble-chasing City and United.
UNITED NEEDS A NEW GOALKEEPER
United are at least four or five players away from City. Bringing Harry Kane to Old Trafford will not be enough. They urgently need three more.
If Ten Hag want to make United a team that commands possession, they need a goalkeeper who can play like Man City’s. Pep Guardiola chose Stefan Ortega over Ederson yesterday and I thought on the occasions United could put pressure on City, Ortega’s distribution was phenomenal.
You don’t get that with David de Gea. He’s a top goalkeeper, and he has been for United for so long, but to compete for titles – not just a top four spot – you need a goalkeeper who can handle his feet well. De Gea does not want to play from behind like Ortega and Ederson.
Manchester United were swept aside by rivals City in their 2-1 defeat in the FA Cup final
The Red Devils need more than just a new striker to take on their city rivals
It is clear that United need a striker to help Marcus Rashford, be it Kane or Victor Osimhen. They also need a midfielder of Declan Rice’s stature who can help Casemiro and compete with the physicality of the best in the world and probably a central defender to complement Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez.
I’m not saying United are worthless. They are not. It is a good team that is making progress under Ten Hag. They’re just trying to bridge the gap to one of the biggest parties we’ve ever seen.
The same applies to all other teams in the Premier League and Europe. And right now United are just so far away.
CITY NAILED FOR TREBLE
Manchester City are one game away from greatness. One game away from the next 50 years, just like United’s Treble winners.
One game away from this group of players looking in the mirror and knowing they’ve accomplished something special, something very few have ever done.
City has it all. The quality and technical ability, but balanced with intensity, physicality and the work ethic to do the ugly stuff.
City don’t carry any players when they press. Look at United. Marcus Rashford can push, but he knows those behind him can’t do it the way Haaland knows his midfielders can.
There’s a reason why Riyad Mahrez hasn’t played the most important games for City this season. Scoring goals is not enough.
So if City win the Treble – and they will, I’m convinced – it will be so richly deserved.
Pep Guardiola’s side increased their chances of a historic Treble with a victory over United
NO GOALS BUT HAALAND STILL A STAR
Erling Haaland didn’t score but this was one of the best games I’ve seen him play. His contribution was enormous. He gave everything.
He won the first flick-on for Ilkay Gundogan’s opening goal after 12 seconds and there was a moment in the second half when he chased back to win the ball from Casemiro in his own half.
He set the tone with his pressing and his link-up game. The way City Press is a different world to United and Haaland leads that.
So even if Haaland didn’t find the back of the net, Guardiola will be happy with his star striker’s performance.
Erling Haaland did not appear on the scoresheet at Wembley but proved to be a threat throughout the game
HANDBALL DECISION THE WORST IN FA CUP FINAL HISTORY?
The handball against Jack Grealish has to be the worst decision ever in an FA Cup final. It was a ridiculous call. No one wants fines imposed for such incidents. Grealish was so close to the ball. He didn’t look. No common sense. No logic. It was never a penalty.
It gave United a lifeline. They showed some courage and tenacity to persevere. However, I was so impressed with City’s composure to deal with such a ridiculous setback. They didn’t let it bother them, even if it didn’t go their way. That is the mentality that Pep Guardiola has instilled in this team, a conviction that is stronger than we have seen in a team in a very long time.
Towards the end it felt like watching a first team go head to head in practice against the seconds.
The handball against Jack Grealish has to be the worst decision ever in an FA Cup final. It was a ridiculous call. No one wants fines imposed for such incidents. Grealish was so close to the ball. He didn’t look. No common sense. No logic. It was never a penalty.
It gave United a lifeline. They showed some courage and tenacity to persevere. However, I was so impressed with City’s composure to deal with such a ridiculous setback. They didn’t let it bother them, even if it didn’t go their way. That is the mentality that Pep Guardiola has instilled in this team, a conviction that is stronger than we have seen in a team in a very long time.
Aside from the end of the game when United tried it felt like watching a first team against the seconds in training.
Jack Grealish was, rightly so, stunned when a penalty was given against him for handball
GUNDOGAN IS A GREAT CITY
Ilkay Gundogan has made his name on the list of Manchester City legends. He scored the winner to snatch the title from Liverpool on the last day last season and now a stunning brace to win the FA Cup against their United rivals.
His volley to score the opener at 12 seconds summed up why he’s such a great player. It was so natural. He must have done that so many times during training. You have to be patient to drop the ball at the right height.
He can do that because he – as I like to call it – sees the pictures.
German midfielder Ilkay Gundogan has secured himself in Manchester City’s history
The best midfielders are the first to see the images of the match. They know where the ball will fall, where the players will be around them.
Paul Scholes saw the photos, so did Steven Gerrard. That’s why they are always one step ahead. You can’t coach that.
John Stones also deserves a mention. That was the best game I’ve ever seen him play. He shone next to Rodri.
It’s a new position for him, he’s in midfield but his knowledge of when to come in and when to defend is fantastic. He is such a smart football player.