According to Pep Guardiola, one player was instrumental in Manchester United’s surprising FA Cup final victory over Manchester City.
In what might have been Erik ten Hag’s last game as manager, United shocked their rivals with a 2-1 win at Wembley on Saturday.
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In arguably their best performance of a disappointing season, the Red Devils took a 2-0 lead at halftime, thanks to goals from teenage stars Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo.
Mainoo’s tireless midfield performance earned him the player of the match award, while captain Bruno Fernandes and the much-criticized Marcus Rashford also received praise.
Despite conceding a late goal to Jeremy Doku, goalkeeper Andre Onana delivered an outstanding performance with several crucial saves.
However, Guardiola highlighted another player who stepped up when it mattered most.
‘Lisandro Martinez is top five centre-backs in the world,’ the City boss said post-match. ‘He made the difference on this game by playing passes through our defence.’
Martinez returned from injury just in time to start the final and delivered a superb performance for 73 minutes before being substituted by Jonny Evans due to cramp.
The Argentine was a key player for Ten Hag at Ajax and in his first season at Old Trafford, but he has missed much of this campaign due to injury, making only 14 appearances, with 11 starts across all competitions.
Many, Ten Hag included, have attributed Man United’s struggles this campaign to his absence, with the 26-year-old saying after the game: ‘For me it was a really, really tough season.
‘You know, my injuries, and it’s all new for me, I’ve never been injured [before]. In the foot, in the knee, in the calf as well! It was like, “Is this a dream or what?”.
‘And now I’m really strong, mentally and physically. Today, for sure, because I played only against Newcastle, Brighton and now the final, I felt cramp in my legs so I couldn’t finish the game.
‘That’s why I was unhappy, but I knew I have team-mates behind me and they gave everything.’
