FA Cup

JONNY EVANS became the first Manchester United player to declare they want Erik ten Hag to stay.Ten Hag, who looks set to be sacked, led his team to a brilliant display to deny Premier League champions Man City a double, double as they won 2-1 at Wembley.Jonny Evans capped a remarkable Man Utd return by lifting the FA CupCredit: AFPHe then gave Erik ten Hag his full backing to stay on as managerCredit: GettyThe Red Devils lost Casemiro from the subs bench due to an injury in the warm-up before the Dutchman broke his silence regarding his imminent sacking.But they defied all that pre-match furore to take the lead on half hour when Alejandro Garnacho, 19, pounced on a defensive mix-up between Stefan Ortega and Josko Gvardiol.Things got even better before the break as United doubled their lead courtesy of a fine finish from Kobbie Mainoo after a superb assist from Bruno Fernandes.Jeremy Doku set-up a nervy finish as he pulled one back in the final stages but – after some ‘s***housery’ from Scott McTominay – but the Red Devils held firm to secure the trophy. READ MORE ON MAN UTDTen Hag embraced both of his teenage goalscorers like a “proud father” after the final whistle.Northern Ireland defender Evans, 36, spent nearly a decade in United’s team, mostly under Sir Alex Ferguson, in his first spell at the club before leaving in 2015 for West Brom.However, he made a shock return by penning a new short-term deal at the Theatre of Dreams last summer.That only came about after joining the squad in training to maintain his fitness when he found himself released by Leicester City.Most read in FA CupBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSEvans has revealed that his miraculous return can be traced back to a chance phone call with former teammate Darren Fletcher, who is now the Red Devils’ technical director.He has gone on to play 30 times for United in all competitions this term – with his final one coming as sub late on to help his team get over the line.Man Utd boss Ten Hag fires defiant response over future after FA Cup win amid rumours Sir Jim Ratcliffe will SACK himAnd after securing the second FA Cup winners’ medal of his career, he made no secret of the fact that he wants the Dutchman to remain in charge.He was first asked if the victory could be a significant start to something under Ten Hag, to which he said: “I hope so.“He’s been amazing for me this season, bringing me back in.“I’ve only got good things to say about him and over the last month I think he’s showing incredible tactical flexibility.”When asked directly if he wants Ten Hag to stay, Evans said: “He’s been amazing for me and I can only thank him for that and I have a good relationship with him.“So I hope he stays.”Following the triumph, Ten Hag appeared to wave goodbye to United fans with the trophy in hand but then claimed that despite the speculation he was still planning for next season.He then did the media rounds pitchside, where he had an awkward exchange with BBC’s Gary Lineker when quizzed directly on his future.Prior to kick off, United legend Roy Keane was one of those to say that the pressure and questions about Ten Hag staying at United were justified.He, along with other United legends, have also not held back in their criticism of the coach and his players this term.But when it came to Ten Hag, who won the Carabao Cup in his first season in charge, speaking with ITV, he could not resist taking a sly dig at Keane, who was working as a pundit at Wembley.Keane said to him: “You must be proud of them, we’ve always questioned players about their quality at Man United, but character and leadership.Erik ten Hag’s Man Utd recordHere is a look at Erik ten Hag’s record in charge of Manchester United.
Games: 114
Wins: 68
Draws: 15
Losses: 31
Goals scored: 207
Goals conceded: 156
Points per game: 1.92
Honours: EFL Cup x1 (2023), FA Cup x1 (2024)

“They showed character today – which I had questioned, and a lot of people have…you shouldn’t listen to them pundits anyway! Take no notice of the pundits.”Ten Hag replied: “But you told me!”Meanwhile, Sir Jim Ratcliffe refused to confirm that Ten Hag would stay afterwards.United chief Ratcliffe was present in the stands and was then spotted walking through the media mixed zone after the match.As Ratcliffe walked through with INEOS director of sport Sir Dave Brailsford, a reporter asked: “Is Erik staying?”READ MORE SUN STORIESRatcliffe turned to acknowledge the media member but did not answer the question.He then turned his head away and continued to walk before heading out the room through a door. More

PAUL SCHOLES has claimed that Kobbie Mainoo is “ten times the player” he was at 19.The Manchester United legend watched on as his old club beat Man City 2-1 to win the FA Cup at Wembley this afternoon.Kobbie Mainoo fired Man Utd to FA Cup glory at WembleyCredit: RexPaul Scholes posted this message on Instagram about the teen afterwardsCredit: InstagramDespite losing the experienced Casemiro from the subs bench due to an injury and all the pre-match speculation regarding Erik ten Hag’s imminent sacking, United prevailed.Alejandro Garnacho, 19, pounced on a defensive mix-up between Stefan Ortega and Josko Gvardiol to deservedly break the deadlock on half-hour.Things got even better before the break as United doubled their lead courtesy of a fine finish from Mainoo after a superb assist from Bruno Fernandes.Jeremy Doku set-up a nervy finish as he pulled one back in the final stages but – after some ‘s***housery’ from Scott McTominay – the Red Devils held firm to secure the trophy. READ MORE MAN UTD NEWSTen Hag embraced both of his teenage goalscorers like a “proud father” after the final whistle.And soon Mainoo, who has burst on the scene this season and earned himself a place in Gareth Southgate’s Euro 2024 provisional England squad, was receiving more praise from one of the greatest to ever pull on a United jersey.Scholes was one of the members of United’s famed Class of ‘92 alongside the Neville brothers, David Beckham, Nicky Butt and Ryan Giggs.He scored over 150 goals in more than 700 appearances for the club he spent his whole career at and won it all.Most read in FA CupBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSScholes lifted 25 trophies, including 11 Premier League titles, three FA Cups and two Champions League titles.Many regard him as one of, if not the, best midfielder of his generation.Fans hail Erik ten Hag as ‘like a father’ after what Man Utd boss did to Mainoo and Garnacho after stunning FA Cup winBut the 49-year-old former England international is adamant that he was not a patch on United’s Wembley matchwinner at the same age.He shared an image of Mainoo slotting past Ortega on his Instagram story.And that came with a message that read: “Read a few comparisons between me and this kid last week… don’t waste your time, he is 10 times the player I was at 19,” wrote Scholes.“Just love the way he receives the ball, the calmness, the awareness of what’s around him and of course big goals in big games.”Scholes finished off by saying: “This boy is special… and he’s a f***ing red.”Meanwhile, United’s all-time record goalscorer also hailed Mainoo’s performance against City.Wayne Rooney, who has just been named as Plymouth manager, was working for BBC at the final.He said: “Mainoo, Kobbie Mainoo, for such a young lad, take his goal out of it, the composure he has shown on the ball for such a young lad has been excellent.“Incredible. It’s so good to see a player from the Academy coming through and dictating the games for Manchester United.READ MORE SUN STORIES“He’s had some moments when he’s struggled as well since he’s been in the first team, but I think this afternoon he’s been absolutely [brilliant].“You look at his composure on the ball, little passes, little one-twos, playing people in behind – I think he’s been incredible.”Erik ten Hag’s Man Utd recordHere is a look at Erik ten Hag’s record in charge of Manchester United.
Games: 114
Wins: 68
Draws: 15
Losses: 31
Goals scored: 207
Goals conceded: 156
Points per game: 1.92
Honours: EFL Cup x1 (2023), FA Cup x1 (2024) More