LONDON — Manchester United substitute Jesse Lingard’s superb volley in extra time secured a 2-1 win over Crystal Palace in the FA Cup final at Wembley Stadium Saturday for their first major trophy in three years.
However, their Dutch manager Louis van Gaal was left wondering whether it would be enough to preserve his job two seasons into a three-year contract amid British media reports that Jose Mourinho would be offered the job next week.
The game was locked at 1-1 after 90 minutes, Jason Puncheon coming off the bench to put London side Palace ahead 12 minutes from time before Juan Mata equalized three minutes later.
United central defender Chris Smalling was sent off in the extra period for a second yellow card but Lingard’s moment of class gave it the Cup for the first time since 2004.
With the tie heading toward penalties, substitute Lingard drilled a stunning thunderbolt past a motionless Wayne Hennessey in the 110th minute to end United’s 12-year wait and give their supporters something to cheer about at the end of a tumultuous season.
“It’s fantastic to win this title for the club, the fans and also for me,” Van Gaal said. “Now I have won a Cup in four countries. Not many managers can say that so I am very happy. I don’t want to talk about leaving the club.”
“I saw it come across and it landed nicely for me, all I had to do was hit it sweet and luckily I did that. As a sub you always have to be ready. Thankfully I was,” Lingard said.
There was a bonus in Palace’s defeat for West Ham United, who will join United in the Europa League next season.
Bayern clinches German Cup
on Guardiola farewell
Pep Guardiola celebrated a dramatic final victory as Bayern Munich coach Saturday, as his side beat Borussia Dortmund on penalties to win the German Cup final.
Neither side was able to find the net in 120 minutes of football, but Dortmund missed two penalties in the shootout to give Bayern victory in and provide Guardiola with a seventh and final title in Germany before he heads to Manchester City.
Guardiola, so often accused of being too emotionless during his time in Munich, broke down in tears as Bayern celebrated.
Ibrahimovic lifts French
Cup in PSG swansong
Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored two goals and set up another as Paris Saint-Germain defeated bitter rival Marseille 4-2 to clinch a 10th French Cup title Saturday in the Swede’s final game with the club.
Blaise Matuidi struck PSG’s opening goal inside two minutes at the Stade de France, but Marseille hit back just 10 minutes later through on-loan Newcastle midfielder Florian Thauvin.
Ibrahimovic then converted a penalty immediately after half-time to restore the capital club’s lead, before he played in Edinson Cavani to add a third goal on 56 minutes.
The 34-year-old Swedish star signed off in trademark spectacular style with his second of the evening, the 156th and final goal of his PSG career, eight minutes from time as Laurent Blanc’s side repeated last year’s domestic treble despite a late consolation from Michy Batshuayi.
“I’m very happy to win my final match with a fantastic team,” said Ibrahimovic.
“We’ve worked hard over the four years. It was an incredible adventure for me, especially when you know how things were when I arrived and how they are now. It’s mission accomplished. I didn’t learn to speak French but I’ve won everything. I came, I saw, I conquered.”
Ibrahimovic has already helped PSG to 11 trophies.
Juventus retains Cup,
keeps Milan out of Europe
An extra-time winner from late substitute Alvaro Morata saw Juventus to its 11th Italian Cup with a 1-0 triumph over AC Milan Saturday.
It means Juventus become the first Italian team to win successive league and Cup doubles, a year after ending a 20-year wait to achieve the feat.
AC Milan’s defeat means the seven-time European champion failed to qualify for Europe next season. Sixth place finisher Sassuolo will be handed a Europa League place. — Agencies
