Ilkay Gundogan scored twice as Manchester City defeated Manchester United in the FA Cup final at Wembley to keep the Citizens in contention for the Treble.
Having already won the Premier League championship, City enters next Saturday’s Champions League final against Inter Milan in Istanbul with the chance to replicate United’s 1999 feat.
And City captain Gundogan was the game-winner once again, ensuring his position in history with the quickest goal in FA Cup final history, a spectacular volley after only 12 seconds surpassing Everton’s Louis Saha’s goal after 25 seconds against Chelsea in 2009.
Bruno Fernandes calmly dispatched Stefan Ortega from the penalty spot as the video assistant referee declared that Jack Grealish had handled the ball after 33 minutes.
As he so often does, Gundogan made the decisive contribution when he headed Kevin de Bruyne’s free-kick past United goalkeeper David de Gea six minutes after halftime to deliver City its seventh FA Cup.
After securing the league and FA Cup, the next opportunity to win the Champions League comes against Inter Milan.
They would become only the second English club to win the Premier League, FA Cup, and Champions League if they were successful.
United, who won the title 24 years ago, attempted to thwart City’s quest, but the league champions had too much strength, and in Gundogan, they had a man who thrives under duress.
His two goals, including an early stunner, demonstrated what an important figure he has become, ensuring him a special place in the annals of City’s halcyon years.
And in John Stones, City has a player of the highest caliber in his most recent role as defined by Guardiola, allowing him to ascend into midfield and utilize all of his composure and quality.
Next on City’s schedule are Istanbul and Inter Milan, and given their current relentless and irresistible form, it would be more surprising if they did not complete the Treble than if they did.
Now, Manchester United must take the next step.
Manchester United’s season concluded with the cruel disappointment of losing the cup final to their rivals, but any evaluation must acknowledge that this was a season of improvement under Erik ten Hag.
United’s first trophy in six years was the Carabao Cup, and they also returned to the Champions League. They may have compromised for that after losing at home to Brighton and then being humiliated 4-0 at Brentford to open the season.
Ten Hag will now demand additional reinforcements and enhancements to propel United forward in his second season as manager.
United are increasingly confident of acquiring England midfielder Mason Mount from Chelsea, while Tottenham’s Harry Kane is regularly linked with a move to Old Trafford.
Ten Hag must also determine whether David de Gea will be his first-choice goalkeeper for the upcoming season after another subpar performance that prompted additional concerns.
De Gea stood motionless for Gundogan’s first goal and then reacted excruciatingly slowly to the second, which was a poorly struck volley that rebounded twice in front of him before he finally got a hand to it.
Ten Hag has marginalized captain Harry Maguire, and he will use this season as a springboard to advance United closer to where he wants them to be. Consequently, Maguire will almost certainly be on the move.
It has been a successful season, but it will be followed by a hectic summer.
