Manchester United have won the 2016 FA Cup with a 2-1 victory over Crystal Palace in extra time, despite trailing 0-1 after Crystal Palace scored in the 78th minute.
Final score
Crystal Palace 1
Manchester United 2
Manchester United can brighten an otherwise forgettable season as the English giants take on Crystal Palace in the 135th final of the FA Cup. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 2:15am (AEST).
The last time United were on the cusp of glory, Sir Alex Ferguson was in charge, and the Red Devils won the 2012-13 Premier League title at a canter.
It’s only been three years, yet the mood of this occasion could not be more different.
If Louis van Gaal holds aloft the trophy, it’s unclear how the United faithful will come to regard their 12th FA Cup success. Is 2015-16 a successful season, given the final result, or is it a failure being masked by silverware at the last? Scarcely will success be greeted with such lack of surety by a club that has come to define it throughout its glorious history.
While the Red Devils struggle over reclaiming their storied past, Crystal Palace have the chance to create a new chapter. The Eagles’ greatest triumph thus far has come via the short-lived Full Members Cup in 1991, during the final days of the old First Division. In a history otherwise laden with stories of promotion and relegation, a maiden FA Cup triumph would write a new chapter at Selhurst Park.
It’s a big occasion as well for Mile Jedinak, who is lining up to become the fifth Australian – after Joe Marston, Craig Johnston, Harry Kewell and Tim Cahill – to play the season finale at Wembley, and the first of all of them to captain a side. His place is no guarantee however, having been alternated regularly during the Premier League season by manager Alan Pardew, who has generally favoured the attacking threats of Yohan Cabaye and Joe Ledley. But with Ledley ruled out, the former Central Coast Mariner should start.
Formation-wise, Pardew will likely adopt his typical 4-4-2, with a near full-strength squad available. The fitness of Cabaye and Bakary Sako is a boost to the central area, while the return of Wilfried Zaha is especially timely, given his short and failed time at Old Trafford.
Zaha’s return, in conjunction with the width of Yannick Bolasie on the other flank, will give Palace’s strike team of Frazier Campbell and Connor Wickham plenty of aerial opportunities, with Cabaye providing the link-up play in the middle.
For United, the emphasis will be about defensive control of the match, particularly given Anthony Martial’s impressive season, and the gradual late improvement of Wayne Rooney. This may mean Juan Mata is confined to the bench, while in midfield Michael Carrick may be preferred to maintain control of a game. The much-maligned Marouane Fellaini is also available after a three-match ban.
Defensively, United look stronger with the returns of Matteo Darmian and Marcos Rojo, while David de Gea has papered over many cracks.
Prediction
With the Mancunians’ Premier League position securing Europa League football next season, there is no further incentive for them in this game beyond the trophy itself. Yet for Pardew and Palace, the carrot of European dangles. Despite this, the occasion should see the Red Devils at their best, even if this has been too rare a sight during van Gaal’s time.
Manchester United should see off Crystal Palace to truly begin the post-Ferguson revival.
petrya27
Guest
I disagree http://www.dailysabah.com/football/2016/05/21/ten-man-manchester-united-beats-crystal-palace-2-1-to-win-fa-cup
raymondmanneh
Guest
it is a narrow escape
marron
Guest
In other news Hibs won the Scottish cup for the first time in 114 years. In case David Lord is reading... um... When recreativo De huelva made their first cup final it had taken them 114 years. I eagerly await the article!
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
FULLTIME: Crystal Palace 1-2 Manchester United United's beaming players make their way up, and Wayne Rooney and Michael Carrick ready to lift his arms with that timeless trophy. And for the record, this success means it's now 40 major trophies to Manchester United, and only one ahead is Liverpool. Sir Alex Ferguson's statement in 1986 about perches is almost complete! The cup is theirs, and it's Manchester United who are the victors! It's been a memorable morning, thanks for your company. It finished Crystal Palace 1-2 Manchester United Good morning!
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
FULLTIME: Crystal Palace 1-2 Manchester United Another admirable aspect of this victory is the nature of its preparation. It's worth remembering that while Palace had the full week to prepare following their final Premier League game, the bomb scare at Old Trafford last week caused United's game to be postponed until Wednesday morning our time. That left United only four days to prepare for this, and not even that has prevented this outcome. If this is to be Louis van Gaal's final act before Jose Mourinho arrives, he can leave on good terms, and making a contribution to that glittering Old Trafford cabinet. FULLTIME: Crystal Palace 1-2 Manchester United
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
FULLTIME: Crystal Palace 1-2 Manchester United Boos ring around one half of this stadium, as the officials go up the steps to receive their trinkets. Palace fans not very happy with Clattenburg's performance, but they can't use that in the final outcome. Their team froze at the moment they should have burnt through the United challenge. Palace's players follow despondently, led by Mile Jedinak, who won't join Craig Johnston and Harry Kewell as Australian FA Cup champions. FULLTIME: Crystal Palace 1-2 Manchester United
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
FULLTIME: Crystal Palace 1-2 Manchester United You can't help but admire the belief of this Manchester United side - from 1-0 down with 11 men, they scored their winner with 10 men. How Crystal Palace let this one slip is beyond me, but United are deserved winners! Red Devils, players and supporters celebrate across Wembley, and it's United's 13th FA Cup title in their storied history. The wait continues for Crystal Palace.This game all started after the 75th minute, when the introduction of Puncheon brought Palace ahead, and then an immediate reply from Juan Mata took it to 1-1 and extra time. The critical moment of the first period of stoppage time was the second yellow card of Chris Smalling, and you thought then it was advantage Palace. But it was another sub in Jesse Lingard who had the decisive impact, with a wonderful howitzer smashed into the roof of the net to give United their winning moment. Time only now for the presentation. FULLTIME: Crystal Palace 1-2 Manchester United
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
'120+2: Seconds remaining, and Pardew stands to be defeated once again at this stage. He was beaten in penalties 10 years ago against Liverpool, and he is beaten again! MANCHESTER UNITED WIN IT FROM BEHIND, THEY WIN IT WITH 10 MEN, AND IT'S THEIR FIRST TITLE IN THE POST-FERGUSON ERA, THEIR FIRST FA CUP SUCCESS SINCE 2004! FULLTIME: Crystal Palace 1-2 Manchester United
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
'120+1: One minute left, and a cross from Zaha aimed for Puncheon fails, as the latter slips at the critical moment. Palace fluffing their lines, United pulling this from the fire, as is the classic United way. Crystal Palace 1-2 Manchester United
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
'120: Final minute of extra time, and we are expecting two minutes added. Nothing much doing for Palace, who are now up against the literal brickwall. Zaha makes a mazy run upfield, but the shot is terrible, and the decision to shoot there is even worse. It's high into the celebrating United fanbase, and Palace lament another de Gea goalkick. Two minutes added. Crystal Palace 1-2 Manchester United
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
'119: de Gea back to his feet, and we resume proceedings. Added time is still to play, but Palace now only have moments. Their wait for a major title will stand, their wait for European football will continue, save for a hero these last few minutes! Crystal Palace 1-2 Manchester United
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
'117: Long pass forward from the back aimed for Zaha, who read it, but so did de Gea, who claims it, and also takes a heavy knock from the onrushing Zaha as well. de Gea stays down legitimately, given the contact, but this stoppage will only help his team's cause further. Two minutes remaining. Crystal Palace 1-2 Manchester United
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
'116: There is still time - but Palace need to march upfield and use their man advantage. It's United's players who seemingly have the lungs here, Palace look spent. Crystal Palace 1-2 Manchester United
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
'114: United take the lead for the first time, and with five minutes remaining, they will keep this ball like life. Palace need to find a changer here to take this to extra time. What character from United, first to get an equaliser so late, and then to get a potential winner after losing Smalling to a second yellow. In the context of the man who the modern Manchester United has embodied, this has the typical nature of anything Sir Alex Ferguson did at Old Trafford! Palace need some urgency here. It's just not happening for them, and we have five minutes left. Crystal Palace 1-2 Manchester United
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
'111: Against the run of play, with only 10 men, United lead with 10 minutes remaining! It was a run down the right, which was initially headed out by Mariappa, but fell to Lingard, who hits first time past a stationery Hennessey! United in front, and they are in the box seat all of a sudden! A yellow for Lingard for ripping off the shirt, but that is irrelevant in this moment! At the other end, Jedinak curls a lovely shot past de Gea, but it's wide! Oh what late drama! Crystal Palace 1-2 Manchester United
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
'110: CHANCE FOR UNITED BEGGING BY CARRICK! Man down, and some intricate short passing between Martial and Lingard on the left, before the latter unleashes a cross that Carrick reads, but heads wide! GOAL - JESSE LINGARD (MANCHESTER UNITED) Crystal Palace 1-2 Manchester United
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
'106: Darmian shifts to centre back alongside Blind, with Young and Valencia occupying the fullback roles. Rooney is shifted to the right. Chance for Gayle saved by de Gea! Superb by Zaha in coming inside, and rolls it for Gayle, who can't get his shooting boots in time, and the shot is feeble towards de Gea! Corner for Palace. Header by Mariappa, but cleared away, and now a yellow for McArthur in pulling down Lingard. 1-1
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
HALFTIME EXTRA TIME: Crystal Palace 1-1 Manchester United Job one done for Alan Pardew - no goals conceded. Job two is made easier with that sending off of Smalling. Crystal Palace have the advantage, and it's all to do for Louis van Gaal to take this now to penalties. Given United's setpiece opportunities, they could still win this before the shootout, but those odds have dramatically shortened. '106: It's a reshifting of the formation, as we begin the second period of extra time. Palace get us underway, and they run against 10 men. 1-1
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
SECOND YELLOW CARD: Chris Smalling Chance for United was cleared in the end by Souare, who then passes forward for Bolasie. He is then rugby-tackled by Smalling, and as the last man, he is given his marching orders by Mark Clattenburg! United down to 10 men for the second period of extra time! One minute of added time is over, and it's halftime in extra time! Is this Palace's day? HALFTIME EXTRA TIME: Crystal Palace 1-1 Manchester United
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
'104: Rooney with some work around the penalty area, but Aussie Mile is strong in the challenge, and Rooney's claims for a penalty falls on deaf ears - that was strong presence by Jedinak. Both teams have offered enough up front to worry the other. A real arm-wrestle this. 1-1