Finally, Alex Ferguson could smile in the stands. Finally, Erik Ten Hag could stand proud. Finally, Manchester United shed the role of underdog they've worn for a decade and defeated Manchester City to lift the FA Cup (0-2).

The "Red Devils," perennial losers of the Manchester derby in recent years, knocked out the reigning champions and prevented Pep Guardiola's side from becoming the first team in history to win the Premier League and the FA Cup in consecutive years. They overcame City by counterattacking, seizing their chances, and with André Onana spectacular in goal despite a late mistake that nearly jeopardized the win.

But Jeremy Doku's late goal did not overshadow United's great victory, their most significant in the last six years, given the moment and the opponent. Also for the manner of the win, dismantling Guardiola's defense by making them retreat.

Ten Hag, rightly criticized for his lack of strategy and ideas, devised a plan to exploit Gvardiol's lack of speed at the back, and it worked quickly.

In the first ball Dalot sent for Alejandro Garnacho to chase, Stones was caught off guard on the opposite side, enabling the Argentine, who clashed with Gvardiol, easily winning the physical duel.

However, the Croatian, in total misunderstanding with Stefan Ortega, tried to pass the ball back with no room for reaction. The ball sailed over the German, leaving Garnacho with an open goal for the 0-1.

United's goal contrasted with City's errors in the final third, and the 0-1 stemmed from a loss by Rodrigo Hernández, who lost his unbeaten record in 74 matches, the longest in European football.

Gvardiol's flank was a goldmine for United, who capitalized every time Kyle Walker failed to cover.

The warning for 0-2 came from Garnacho and Marcus Rashford, but the Argentine was offside, and the goal was rightly disallowed. The real 0-2 again originated from the Croatian's side. This time, a quick combination from Garnacho to Bruno, who set up Kobbie Mainoo in an excellent position. The young English midfielder, bound for the Euros, wrong-footed Ortega to give United an unexpected 0-2 lead.

In a game where City struggled to create chances due to errors, aside from a shot off the crossbar by Erling Haaland, their best opportunities came from outside the area, with two long-range shots from Walker that Onana saved spectacularly.

The Cameroonian, one of the game's best players, gave City a glimmer of hope by misjudging a shot from Doku, but the potential comeback, with seven minutes of added time, amounted to nothing. United, eight years later, were crowned FA Cup champions.