FA Cup winners 2024 in pictures

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Against all odds (United were 8/1 with a lot of bookies) Manchester United triumphed in the 2024 FA Cup Final against their noisy neighbours. 

Erik Ten Hag used his last two league games of the season to trial Bruno Fernandes in a false 9 position, flooding the midfield and making United more difficult to break down. With the added benefit of having Varane and Martinez back at the heart of central defence, United looked and acted like an entirely different beast.

Here is a review in photos.


1. Bruno Fernandes lifts the trophy high. Bruno delivered a true captains performance. His pass to Mainoo was world class. Ten Hag ball!


2. Garnacho celebrates his goal. He didn't give up the chase. I love this photo in front of the city supporters!


3. One more for the dreamers. Later on that night Garnacho didn't want to let the cup go.


4. Lisandro Martinez was sorely missed through the 2023/24 season. In the FA Cup Final he was cool, calm and composed. But he also displayed steely determination, leadership and a warrior like mentality. His little spat with Walker while he was being substituted was almost as important as a goal. Adding a nice edge to things and winding city up.


5. Teenage Fanclub! Our 2 goalscorers - academy graduates. Teenagers. Friends. Superb players. Mainoo's goal was incredible. The break from defence with Bruno to get the ball wide to Rashford, who pinged a beautiful pass out to Garnacho on the opposite flank. The teenage winger cut inside, passed to Bruno, who dinked the ball without looking to Mainoo to slot home.

Ten Hag ball. Sublime football.



6. There is a light that never goes out. Where there is youth, there is hope, there is promise. Diallo, Garnacho, Mainoo and Hojlund could lead this club back to the top.


7. Speaking of leading United back to the top. Ten Hag delivered a tactical masterclass on Saturday. Erik used his last two league games of the season to trial Bruno Fernandes in a false 9 position, flooding the midfield and making United more difficult to break down. A rejuvenated Amrabat and McTominay sat in front of the defence, allowing Fernandes and Mainoo the opportunity to roam alongside Garnacho and Rashford. At times, city looked absolutely lost and unsure of what to do.


8. Amrabat was immense on Saturday. He covered every blade of grass. It may well have been a performance to prompt United to make his loan move permanent. This was the Amrabat we had seen at the World Cup. Energetic, snarling and hurling himself into tackles.


9. Varane's last dance in a United shirt was a reminder that he is still a Rolls Royce of a defender. He was everywhere he needed to be, getting ahead of city players on multiple occasions. Varane never looks stressed or bothered. This was an impeccable performance. 

Varane - last dance

10. City brought on Jeremy Doku at half time and tried to get him on the ball as much as possible. He looked dangerous and Wan Bissaka dealt with him exceptionally well. 


11. Ten Hag has delivered 2 trophies, 3 finals and 2 rounds of European football in two seasons. He has done this after inheriting, in his own words at the weekend, 'a mess'. Ronaldo, Sancho, Greenwood, Rashford, the ownership issue, Martial ... and so much more we will never find out about.

United's match going supporters are 100% behind the boss. He deserves another season with a proper football structure to finally get this club back to challenging for the league. 

That is unlikely to happen next season. But with Onana, Dalot, Martinez, Mainoo, Bruno, Hojlund, Garnacho and Diallo, United have a solid base to build upon. I hope the Dutchman stays.




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