Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo become first players since Cristiano Ronaldo 20 years ago to achieve FA Cup final feat for Man United

Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo have become the first players since Cristiano Ronaldo in 2004 to achieve an FA Cup final feat for Manchester United.

The two Manchester United teenagers both scored in the first half of the final at Wembley on Saturday, putting United 2-0 up at half time, with the Red Devils holding on to win 2-1.

With City starting strongly, United held their own and looked much improved with the likes of Lisandro Martinez returning to the starting line-up to play in defence alongside the departing Raphael Varane.

Garnacho opened the scoring after half an hour following a mix-up from City pair Josko Gvardiol and Stefan Oretga, with the defender heading past his own goalkeeper to give the forward a tap in.

Nine minutes later, Mainoo added a second to put daylight between the two teams, leaving Wembley in shock following good play from the likes of Marcus Rashford, Bruno Fernandes and Mainoo.

Alejandro Garnacho (L) and Kobbie Mainoo (R) have become the first players since Cristiano Ronaldo to achieve an FA Cup final feat for Manchester United

 

Alejandro Garnacho (L) and Kobbie Mainoo (R) have become the first players since Cristiano Ronaldo to achieve an FA Cup final feat for Manchester United

The duo both scored for the Red Devils in the first half of the final at Wembley on Saturday

 

The duo both scored for the Red Devils in the first half of the final at Wembley on Saturday

The record was previously held by Cristiano Ronaldo (L), who netted in the 2004 final

 

The record was previously held by Cristiano Ronaldo (L), who netted in the 2004 final

Ronaldo, who was 19 at the time, netted against Millwall for United at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff as United won 3-0, with a Ruud van Nistelrooy brace ensuring victory.

Though the record took 20 years to break, it then took just a further nine minutes to happen again, with the strike from Mainoo, also 19.

The early lead was a rich reward for Ten Hag, who revealed all in a stunning Cup final day interview, defending his side and himself as he targeted groups of United fans and pundits.

The Dutchman led United to their worst-ever Premier League finish this season, though was hoping to held them into the Europa League by winning at Wembley.

His side has been plagued by injuries, including losing Luke Shaw – who he branded ‘the best left back in the world’ – for the majority of the campaign, forcing him to find alternative solutions in his team selection.

Though Casemiro missed the final, like likes of Fernandes, Varane and Martinez were fit enough to start in a major boost to the side.

United went onto lift the trophy in Cardiff after beating Millwall 3-0, with Ruud van Nistelrooy netting a brace

 

United went onto lift the trophy in Cardiff after beating Millwall 3-0, with Ruud van Nistelrooy netting a brace

Mainoo's strike after 39 minutes concluded a well-worked United move involving the likes of Marcus Rashford and Bruno Fernandes

 

Mainoo’s strike after 39 minutes concluded a well-worked United move involving the likes of Marcus Rashford and Bruno Fernandes

Garnacho, who has played 50 games for United in all competitions this season, had another good chance to score in the second half but Ortega saved his near-post effort in the 69th minute of the game.

He has scored a total of 10 goals in those games, picking up a further five assists, while Mainoo, who broke through mid-way through the season, has scored five goals in 35 games.

Ronaldo went onto net 117 times in his first spell, and 27 times when he returned before leaving again for Al-Nassr.