Louis van Gaal arrived at Wembley with the Cup final serving as a referendum on his future as United manager.
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The 23-year-old academy graduate started the game on the bench but scored deep into extra time to secure United their first FA Cup success since 2004. He told the BBC afterward: “I just had to hit it sweet and I did that”.
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.
“We played with heart and passion”.
18-year-old Rashford did his hopes of inclusion in Roy Hodgson’s final 23-man squad for Euro 2016 a power of good with a fine first half display in which he was comfortably United’s best player.
“With 10 players, and we have played Tuesday evening also (beating Bournemouth 3-1), but we have deserved it, I think”. It was a great cup final. The Spaniard will take over at United’s arch-rivals Manchester City this summer. “It was a game that could have gone either way”. Initial reports claimed his injury, sustained in a second-half tackle with Yohan Cabaye, wasn’t too serious, but Rashford now faces a nervous wait to see if he recovers in time.
The Palace substitute made an immediate impact.
However, the appointment would likely lead to goalkeeper David De Gea remaining with the club for at least another season, giving Mourinho on less concern should he take the job.
Rooney created the chance by dancing his way into the right channel and hanging a cross up to the back post with Fellaini was able to chest down for Mata to volley past Ward on the line.
United lost Smalling when the England centre-back received a second yellow card for hauling Yannick Bolasie back by his ankle as he lay on the turf.
– Chris Smalling became the first English player and fourth player overall to be sent off in an FA Cup final (Kevin Moran 1985, Jose Reyes 2005 and Pablo Zabaleta 2013).
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This didn’t stop Manchester United from scoring another goal at 111 minutes in, even with only ten men, as Jesse Lingard shot it into the top corner.
