Erik ten Hag’s legacy moment at Manchester United arrived after the FA Cup final | OneFootball

Not many gave them a chance but Manchester United played pretty much the perfect game to win the FA Cup final against Manchester City.

Regardless of the noise around the manager’s future, players departing, their mentality questioned and the strength of their opposition, they upset the odds.

A 2-1 win was fully deserved and it being against their fierce rivals would be even sweeter but the symbolism goes further than that.

The two goalscorers were Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo, two teenagers who owe their senior team breakthrough to Erik ten Hag.

For all his faults, his tactics, his injury situation handling and much more, the manager’s trust in youth has been the theme of his tenure.

After the game, Ten Hag enjoyed an emotional moment with the young duo, taking them both, grabbing them close and talking to them while the two listened to him like loyal pupils.

Garnacho’s game has come on leaps and bounds from being the straight dribbler who could beat a man through sheer pace into an all-around, hardworking winger.

Mainoo, on the other hand, has been even more meteoric, starting the season as an U18s player and ending it as an England international and irreplaceable at United.

Players always remember the manager who gave them their big chance.

Scott McTominay still feels indebted to Jose Mourinho for giving him his senior debut and further chances and Mainoo-Garnacho will echo something similar.

It doesn’t matter if Ten Hag stays or leaves, the fact remains that the spine of the next great United team might owe its emergence to the Dutchman.

That will be his United legacy forever, which is more than what many managers post-United can say about their own tenure.

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