Juan Mata quickly canceled out Jason Puncheon’s goal to force extra time.
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Here, we round up the talking points from the FA Cup final…
British media are widely reporting the 53-year-old Mourinho will take over at United, even though Van Gaal, who steered United to a 2-1 extra-time win over Crystal Palace at Wembley, has a year left on his contract.
Palace manager Alan Pardew, meanwhile, met with FA Cup heartbreak for the third time, having been on the losing side against United with the south London club in 1990 and overseen West Ham’s defeat on penalties by Liverpool in 2006.
Van Gaal said: “I show you the cup and I don’t discuss it (my future) with my friends of the media, who already sacked me for six months”. “Now I have won a Cup in four countries”.
“It’s fantastic to win this title for the club, the fans and also for me”, said the Dutchman. It may not be enough to save his job but it does provide him with reward for his efforts. And what a volley it was.
With Ferguson watching at Wembley Stadium, Jesse Lingard, an academy graduate thrust into the first team by Van Gaal, completed United’s comeback by volleying in the victor in the 110th minute.
It was Lingard’s first goal in 18 games for Manchester United.
United players lift the trophy after they won the English FA Cup final soccer match between Manchester United and Crystal Palace at Wembley stadium in London, Saturday, May 21, 2016.
The full extent of Rashford’s injury remains to be seen – he was able to celebrate with his team-mates after the final whistle – but it would be a blow to both the player and England manager Roy Hodgson should the 18-year-old be sidelined. “He did very well before he got injured, made some great flicks and produced some great play from someone so young”.
“It was a great cup final and could have gone either way”, Pardew told reporters.
“I don’t want to talk about leaving”, Van Gaal responded when it was highlighted that United hasn’t denied it plans to recruit Mourinho. “He made two or three vital saves”. It is not so easy when United come for a player. Sky Sports Spanish football expert Guillem Balague expects the La Liga giants to make another move for the shot-stopper this summer.
The match was not without controversy with referee Mark Clattenburg frustrating Palace with a number of decisions in the first half.
“Connor was through, Wilfried had a penalty but I’m not going to bleat”.
“He actually had a free pass to Zaha for a tap-in but he scored anyway”. So to be pulled back was really harsh.
“I believe in refreshment of my squad but it depends on what players we purchase, you can not stay with the same squad”.
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Even when United were reduced to 10 men following Chris Smalling’s extra-time dismissal, Rooney kept dictating play and no-one deserved to celebrate more than the 30-year-old when Jesse Lingard smashed the 110th minute victor. However, Palace were unable to make their numerical advantage count in the final 15 minutes.
