First Half

Right from the opening whistle, Ilkay Gundogan unleashed an onslaught, instilling a sense of urgency within his teammates. It didn’t take long for the German maestro to make his mark on the game, as he gracefully slotted home an early goal. This lightning-quick opener injected an electric surge of momentum into the Manchester City attack, leaving their cross-town rivals scrambling to find their footing. 

However, as the minutes ticked by, Manchester United gradually regained their composure and began their quest to level the scoreline.

With relentless determination, Manchester United fought back, skillfully maneuvering through the Manchester City defense. Their efforts bore fruit in the 33rd minute, when the brilliant Bruno Fernandes delivered a sensational strike, igniting a wave of hope that reverberated throughout the stadium. The stands erupted in jubilation as United fans found their voice once more, rallying behind their side.

As the halftime whistle blew, both teams stood deadlocked at 1-1, setting the stage for a tantalizing second half. 

Second Half

Manchester City, galvanized by their manager’s halftime words of inspiration, burst out of the dressing room with unwavering determination. It was Ilkay Gundogan once again who stepped into the limelight, showcasing his remarkable talent by netting his second goal of the evening. The pendulum swung in Manchester City’s favor, leaving their opponents in a state of disarray, reminiscent of the first half.

The bewilderment among the Manchester United players was palpable as their rivals deftly circulated the ball, orchestrating their passes with precision and poise. Sensing the urgency for a change, United made a substitution, bringing on the promising talent of Garnacho in place of Eriksen. However, Manchester City’s intent to dominate was evident, leaving United struggling to find an answer.

During the 79th minute, Bernardo Silva came tantalizingly close to sealing the victory for City, only to see Manuel Akanji fail to connect, resulting in a missed opportunity to solidify their dominance. On the other side of the pitch, Manchester United threw caution to the wind, exhausting every option available as McTominay entered the fray. 

But City had a clear strategy in mind – to dictate the tempo of the game through their calculated passing game. As the final whistle resounded through the stadium, Manchester City’s players erupted in jubilation, their victory cemented in the annals of FA Cup history.

Updated: 03 Jun 2023, 10:23 PM IST