ManU win FA Cup
AFP
Jesse Lingards extra-time thunderbolt earned Manchester United a record-equalling 12th FA Cup as Louis van Gaals side came from behind to defeat Crystal Palace 2-1 in yesterdays final at Wembley, reports AFP.
In a rematch of the 1990 final, which United won after a replay, underdogs Palace took the lead in the 78th minute when Jason Puncheon slammed home, only for Juan Mata to equalise less than three minutes later.
With the tie heading towards penalties, substitute Lingard drilled a stunning volley past a motionless Wayne Hennessey in the 110th minute to end Uniteds 12-year wait to lift the FA Cup and give their supporters something to cheer about at the end of a tumultuous season.
It was Uniteds first FA Cup win since 2004, allowing captain Wayne Rooney and Michael Carrick to complete their collection of domestic medals, and took them level with Arsenal, winners in 2014 and 2015, as the most successful clubs in the competitions illustrious history.
But while Van Gaal celebrated his first trophy in English football, and Uniteds first major honour since Alex Ferguson retired in 2013, it may not be enough to keep him in a job following the clubs failure to qualify for the Champions League.
Instead United, who lost Marcus Rashford and Marcos Rojo to injury and Chris Smalling to an extra-time red card, will go into the Europa League, along with West Ham United, after Uniteds Wembley win freed up an extra qualifying berth.
