Manchester United celebrate winning their 12th FA Cup title as they came back from behind to defeat Crystal Palace at Wembley
Form is temporary, class is permanent. This is the adage that we’ve heard since forever, and its authenticity was proven yet again as Manchester United won the FA Cup after beating Crystal Palace in an enthralling tie at Wembley. Louis Van Gaal, the much-maligned manager of Manchester United masterminded their first trophy win since 2013 to prove that even at their lowest, United are capable of winning silverware.
The Red Devils underwent a spectacular fall from grace since the departure of their talismanic boss Sir Alex Ferguson. With no Champions League to look forward to in the next season, United needed the FA Cup trophy to shut their critics up ahead of what could be tough times for the once great club. A big day needed a big performance, and in true United spirit, their boys stepped up to the mark.
Wayne Rooney, United’s captain on the night, was also the Man of the Match after he put in a terrific display in the middle of the park
When Jason Puncheon’s ferocious volley hit the back of the net in the 78th minute of the game, most of you had probably crowned Palace as the winners of this year’s FA Cup. Even the most ardent of United fans would be forgiven for losing all hope of winning the Cup after conceding a goal with just 12 minutes left on the clock. United are only a shadow of their former selves and no way can they make a comeback. Fergie time was a thing of the past. Right?
How we were all mistaken. Three minutes was all it took for them to equalize and as extra time ensued, Jesse Lingard found a place for himself in Manchester United lore as he scored a 110th-minute winner to win his side their 12th FA Cup title. In the aftermath of this most exciting victory, I was wondering, even at their lowest ebb, Manchester United are still winning titles.
Jesse Lingard was United’s hero on the night as he grabbed a 110th minute winner to put his side in the lead for the first time in the game
Ever since the turn of the 90’s, Manchester United have only finished outside of the top four on three occasions. Other than their 5th placed finish this season, they came 6th in the 90-91 season while coming 7th in the 13-14 season. This is definitely the sign of a football club in their prime, but even in the past few seasons, in the seasons after Sir Alex I mean, they managed to perform reasonably well, if you get what I mean.
Of course finishing lower than second is totally unacceptable for a team as regal as United, but considering the departure of their great stalwart and the evolving climate of the Premier League with the rise of so many strong teams, consistent finishes in and around the top four is pretty good if you ask me.
Louis Van Gaal celebrated winning his first trophy as United boss along with their former manager Sir Alex Ferguson
Now when you go on to consider that teams like Manchester City and Chelsea and Liverpool have failed to pull of what United have, you really get to see my point in true detail. Manchester United are indeed having their worst spell in over three decades, but then again, this is surely because of the standards that they’ve set for themselves over the same period of time. While half of the nation is up in arms about the Red Devils devastating fall from grace, I cannot help but agree with LvG who has asked us to curb our expectations. Van Gaal’s message has so far fallen on deaf ears, but how long can United fans avoid this rather inconvenient truth? Only time can tell.
