Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag says his side had a “point to prove” and that football is all about winning trophies after stunning Manchester City to lift the FA Cup 2-1 on Saturday.
First-half goals from Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo sent United on their way, repelling City’s second-half onslaught with only Jeremy Doku’s 87th minute strike to show for it.
The triumph sees United secure their first piece of silverware for the campaign and qualify for the Europa League, after a disappointing eighth-place finish in the Premier League in the Dutchman’s second season in charge.
“Football is about winning trophies at the end of the day,” said Ten Hag, who also snapped United’s trophy drought last year when they lifted the EFL Cup.
“I want to play the best football, attacking football, dynamic football. But in the end, you have to win games and trophies.
“That is the mentality we brought in and we had only one opportunity this season, in the FA Cup. I am very proud of the players and the staff because they did a fantastic job.”
Ten Hag added that the players felt like they had a point to prove against City at Wembley after a difficult campaign.
“As always the rivalry is always there and it is always much more important when you play against a team from your own city,” he said.
“For us it was not about this, it was about proving a point after having such a bad year with so many setbacks and all the injuries and every time we had to survive. The team showed so much resilience and I am so proud of them.”
City boss Josep Guardiola conceded he made tactical errors with the way his side played in the first half.
“The players know the reason why,” he said. “Tactically, it was not good. I was not good today. You plan a game for different positions but it didn’t work.
“Always when we play against United, we have the control and we created in the second half but we were not able to do it.”
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