Even Sergio Aguero couldn’t help but applaud Kobbie Mainoo’s ‘incredible’ goal as Manchester United beat Manchester City 2-1 to get their hands on the FA Cup this weekend.
After losing 2-1 in last year’s all-Manchester affair, United came out all guns blazing and stunned City as Alejandro Garnacho and Mainoo both netted in the first half at Wembley.
The holders fought back after the break, with Erling Haaland rattling the crossbar and second-half substitute Jeremy Doku scoring at the death, but it was too little, too late, and the Red Devils held firm to win the competition for a 13th time.
The victory secured Erik ten Hag, under intense scrutiny in the build-up, a second trophy with United and also sealed the club a spot in next year’s Europa League.
City, meanwhile, missed out on completing a ‘double-double’, on the back of their Premier League triumph, and Pep Guardiola admitted he made a ‘mistake’ with his game plan in the first half of the contest.
While the likes of Paul Scholes waxed lyrical over Mainoo’s man-of-the-match display in the middle of the park, Ten Hag called on English football fans to ‘calm down’ and allow the 19-year-old midfielder to develop at his own pace.
However, Aguero – arguably the greatest player in City’s history – could only sit back and applaud as Mainoo latched onto an exquisite Bruno Fernandes pass to double United’s advantage, with the Argentinian reacting on an ESPN live stream of the game.
‘United’s goal was incredible,’ he said.
City captain Kyle Walker, who is set to link up with Mainoo for England’s Euro 2024 campaign this summer, had nothing but praise as he reflected on the youngster’s performance shortly after the final whistle.
‘What a talent, what a talent. The generation of English talent that is coming through is very exciting,’ Walker told Hayters.
‘Hopefully he can take his form that he’s shown over this season, breaking into the team, into the Euros, if selected.
‘Hopefully, and I’ll put my England hat on now, I want a good Euros.’
The England right-back said the defeat came as a ‘bitter blow’ but underlined what the team had achieved in sealing a fourth straight Premier League title this season.
‘Obviously the goals were a little bit sloppy from us. It’s not blaming the defenders or individual mistakes,’ he added.
‘I think it’s very important that I get the message across that we attack as a team, everyone attacks and defends as a team.
‘So listen, the lads in there have been a joy to work with, fantastic, and it’s a bitter blow.
‘Come the end of the season, it would have put the icing on the cake.
‘But let’s not forget what this group of players has achieved in winning four Premier League titles in a row which no other team has been able to do.’