Erik ten Hag has made the astonishing claim Manchester United were better than City in last season’s FA Cup final.
City triumphed 2-1 at Wembley, where Ilkay Gundogan scored the fastest-ever FA Cup final goal after 13 seconds and struck again in the 51st minute. Bruno Fernandes equalised with a 33rd-minute penalty after United survived a gruelling start to the match.
United recorded two more attempts at goal than City, who had five shots on target to United’s three – two of which were five seconds apart in added time. City outpassed United by 517 to 342 passes and had 60% of possession.
David de Gea was culpable for Gundogan’s winning goal in what turned out to be his final appearance for United after 12 years at the club. De Gea has been without a club since he was released on June 30.
United take on City in a second successive all-Manchester FA Cup final on Saturday and Ten Hag is adamant United were better in every area last year except possession.
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“Last season you can’t change it anymore,” Ten Hag said. “When we analysed that match, we were better than them. I have data and we were, on almost every occasion, better than them except in possession.
“All the other facts like getting into the final third, creating chances, getting shots on target, higher xG, every bit of data we were better than them.
“We know on Saturday we have to suffer and sacrifice out of possession because they are good in it and we have to get into that fight from a good defensive organisation.
“If we get it, then we will get an opportunity even though we know they play at very high levels.”
Ten Hag admitted United would be motivated by the outcome of the 2023 final. “I think so, yes. That’s the truth. We will be in a very different place if we win on Saturday because we will be in Europe and we will have another trophy.
“But still, three finals in two seasons is very good, I would say, because this club when I entered it was not in a good state, absolutely not.
“I think we improved a lot and even when you consider all the injuries we’ve had, it’s a horrible season for us. Absolutely that has to change and we have to make our messages this summer to change this.”