Manchester City have kept their treble hope alive after defeating Manchester United 2-1 at Wembley to lift the 2023 FA Cup. The Premier League champions were ahead after just 13 seconds, the fastest goal in FA Cup final history, when Ilkay Gundogan was first to pounce on a loose ball to volley home and stun both sets of fans. 🤯 Absolutely incredible! Ilkay Gundogan scores the fastest goal in FA Cup Final history, as Manchester City lead Manchester United after just 13 seconds at Wembley! #MCFC #MUFC #FACupFinal pic.twitter.com/osSxCnCfUK — Joe Prince-Wright (@JPW_NBCSports) June 3, 2023 It was an ominous start from City who left United players largely chasing shadows in the first half until VAR intervene and awarded United a controversial penalty. Aaron Wan-Bissaka’s header back into the area flicked off Jack Grealish’s fingers, and referee Paul Tierney was eventually told to take a second look after play had continued. He went to the pitch side monitor and then duly pointed to the spot. Bruno Fernandes converted the penalty by sending Stefan Ortega the wrong way. Trademark Bruno Fernandes penalty kick. 1-1. Game on! #MCFC #MUFC #FACupFinal pic.twitter.com/y98cAyo2x8 — Joe Prince-Wright (@JPW_NBCSports) June 3, 2023 United came back stronger in the second half but suffered a setback as Gundogan scored again after volleying home a Kevin De Bruyne corner from the edge of the area. The Red Devils went close to a second leveller through Marcus Rashford and substitute Alejandro Garnacho but they could not find the goal to force extra time. CAPTAIN FANTASTIC 🦸@IlkayGuendogan with another magical volley ✨#EmiratesFACup pic.twitter.com/HLCo4VpARt — Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) June 3, 2023 City will now turn their attention to the Champions League final against Inter Milan on June 10 as they bid to lift Europe’s premier competition for the first time in their history and emulate United’s Treble feat of 1999. The FA Cup is Manchester City’s second trophy this season as they won the Premier League for the 2022-23 season, finishing five points above second-placed Arsenal. Manchester City needs to defeat Inter Milan next week in the Champions League Final, to complete their treble run. 
Gundogan celebrates his goal. Source: Getty The FA Cup has been played since 1871, and Man United’s 12 tournament wins trail only Arsenal’s 12. United last won in 2016. The FA Cup has been played since 1871, and Man United’s 12 tournament wins trail only Arsenal’s 12. United last won in 2016.
Andy Cole at a match for Manchester United. Source: Getty The Nigerian international has been in incredible form this season, scoring 25 goals in 31 appearances in Serie A. His goal against Udinese, helped Napoli win the Serie A title for the first time in 33 years. Speaking to BoyleSports ahead of an FA Cup final match between Manchester United and Manchester City, Andy Cole stated that his former club won’t be able to win the Premier League next season even if they succeed in signing Victor Osimhen. He said; “No, Manchester United can’t win the league next season. It frustrates me when people think that buying two more players, we can then win the league. So why are Manchester City in such a good position if all it takes is buying two players? Make it make sense. Two players, including Victor Osimhen, can’t help Manchester United compete for the league title. 
Portuguese footballer, Diogo Dalot has signed a new contract with Manchester United which will run till the summer of 2028, with the club retaining the option of adding another year. 24-year-old Dalot arrived at Old Trafford in 2018 and has since made a total of 107 appearances in all competitions. 
Dalot at a match for Manchester United. Source: Getty “As a group of players, we all feel like we are at the start of a special journey right now. I can assure you that I will dedicate myself relentlessly to helping this group to achieve our aims and make the fans proud of this team. “That drive continues this week with everyone intensely focused on preparations for the FA Cup final.” Dalot had generated interest from Barcelona, Atletico Madrid, Juventus, AC Milan, Roma, and Borussia Dortmund before signing a new contract with Manchester United. 
Manchester United legend, Gary Neville. Source: Getty With a pivotal summer transfer window approaching, there has been little sign of the takeover being concluded. Manchester United fans have also become worried that the takeover is dragging on too long and could impact their summer recruitment drive. Manchester United legend, Gary Neville has now lashed out at the owners of the club, the Glazer family, for not concluding the sale as soon as possible. 
Manchester United owners, the Glazer family. Source: Getty He tweeted; “Plainly obvious the Glazer family aren’t going to announce anything on the ownership until the season is closed! “They’ve been spinning it out unprofessionally for weeks and months now. They know fan protests would have been more significant than they already have if matches were still being played and the end result of the sale process is unpopular. Basically any family members staying in would be deemed unacceptable by all fans. Is this why they’re holding off?” Plainly obvious the Glazer family aren’t going to announce anything on the ownership until the season is closed! They’ve been spinning it out unprofessionally for weeks and months now. They know fan protests would have been more significant than they already have if matches were… — Gary Neville (@GNev2) May 31, 2023 Whilst the takeover process remains in the air, Erik ten Hag is already hard at work aiming to add to his squad in the upcoming summer transfer window. The Red Devils have already been linked to several big names including Harry Kane, Neymar, and Victor Osimhen. 
Manchester United players celebrating. Source: Getty Chelsea who named their youngest-ever average starting XI in Premier League history, had some big moments in the first half but the profligacy that has blighted their season was evident once more with Mykhailo Mudryk, Kai Havertz and Conor Gallagher the main culprits. Casemiro also helped set up another for Anthony Martial and spurred United on to a memorable thrashing which was completed by a Bruno Fernandes penalty and a late strike from Marcus Rashford, his 30th goal of the season. Joao Felix ruined David De Gea’s clean sheet with a low drive in the 89th minute. 
Fernandes and Enzo at a match in Old Trafford. Source: Getty The result sees the Red Devils move up to third spot, two points ahead of Newcastle United in fourth. It also effectively ends fifth-placed Liverpool’s slim hope of gate-crashing the top four. Chelsea are 12th on the Premier League table and they’ve set a new club record with a 16th defeat in a 38-game Premier League season to compound finishing in the bottom half of the top-flight for the first time in 27 years. Manchester United will end the league season at home to Fulham on Sunday afternoon while Chelsea hosts Newcastle United. 
The 31-year-old played 229 times, scoring six goals for United and helping them win one Premier League title, an FA Cup, and the Europa League.Trending:Another Nigerian lady set to break Guinness World Record as she begins counting of rice grains (Video) Jones, who is yet to decide whether he will carry on playing, shared an emotional statement confirming his exit on social media. The English footballer wrote on Twitter; “My time at Manchester United has been nothing short of incredible. To wear this shirt just once, to wear this badge and represent everyone associated with it, was an honour. I wish I could have played more. I wish I could have given more to the many squads I played alongside. I will say, from the bottom of my heart, I did everything I could. I did everything the medical team asked of me. I never left a stone unturned in the pursuit of living my dream and having the opportunity to represent Manchester United. It’s not a time to be sad. It’s a time to look back, for me and my family, and be happy that I managed to live a dream at United. I want to say thank you to everyone who has helped me at Manchester United, where I’ve made friends for life.” Letter to the fans. pic.twitter.com/fmNV1eR9np — Phil Jones (@PhilJones4) May 19, 2023 The centre back told Manchester United’s website; “It’s been very difficult, the last couple of years. There’s no denying that. There is no hiding away from that. My family have been absolutely instrumental in keeping me on the straight and narrow and keeping me focused, to try to get fit and try to play more. And, you know, I’ve missed playing football. I missed it. You grow up playing football and all you want to do is play football. It’s all I’ve known, from such a young age, is to do what you love doing for a living. I’ve been fortunate enough to do that, albeit not as much as I would have liked. 
“I’ve worked tirelessly hard. I literally left no stone unturned. I tried to get back as quick as I could, every time I was out in the last couple of years. I think the highlight for me would have to be the Wolves game [his return from injury last season], when I came back. That was just a moment that I’ll never forget. It gives me goosebumps now, thinking about it. I mean I worked so, so hard to get to that stage of fitness. That was a huge, huge moment in my career and the fans, that day, were incredible. The love that they showed me for that game, the passion that they showed, was sensational. And I can’t thank them enough for that. They’ve been a constant support throughout my time here.” 
Balogun played for the US at under-18 level, before switching to England’s Under-21s. He withdrew from the squad in March because of injury and will not play in the upcoming European Under-21 Championship. FIFA rules allow players to switch national eligibility before making a competitive senior appearance at international level. FIFA on Tuesday, May 16, announced that Balogun’s switch from England to the U.S. has been approved, paving the way for him to become US Men National Team (USMNT) next star striker. Speaking to US Soccer’s official website, Balogun said the decision was a “no-brainer” and he feels at “home”. 
He said; “When I broke the news to my family they were all just over the moon, especially my mom. She said, ‘What took you so long?’ “To represent the United States means a lot, more than people would know. I’m very proud and honoured to have this opportunity, and I want to give everything I have to make our team successful.” .@Balogun on what it means to represent the United States 🗯️ — U.S. Men’s National Soccer Team (@USMNT) May 16, 2023 Balogun previously said he’s open to representing Nigeria. The prolific striker has scored 19 goals in 34 Ligue 1 matches for Reims this season. Following the switch, he is expected to join the U.S. team at the CONCACAF Nations League finals next month.