May 24th 2024.
It was the 2023 FA Cup final and Manchester United had just been narrowly defeated by their rivals, Manchester City. Erik ten Hag, the boss of Manchester, couldn't help but feel proud of his team's performance and their "brilliant" season. However, he also knew that there was more work to be done in order to continue progressing.
A lot had changed in the past year for United. As they prepared to face City once again at Wembley, the only familiar thing around Old Trafford was Ten Hag himself. When he praised his team for being "one of the most dynamic and entertaining teams in the league," some onlookers couldn't help but question if they had watched the same game.
Injuries had taken a toll on the team and while there were some promising young players like Kobbie Mainoo, Alejandro Garnacho, and Rasmus Hojlund, there were also signs of aging from players like Casemiro, Raphael Varane, and Christian Eriksen. Even those in their prime had failed to carry the team, with the exception of Bruno Fernandes. Jadon Sancho seemed to have lost his spark, Antony wasn't making much of an impact, and Marcus Rashford had regressed so much that he couldn't even make it into the England squad anymore.
Off the pitch, there was a sense of hope and a new dawn as Sir Jim Ratcliffe took control of the club. But for Ten Hag, this couldn't have come at a worse time. His second season with United had been disastrous, resulting in their lowest league finish in 34 years and an early exit from the Champions League. He wasn't Ratcliffe's choice and the new incoming executives had no personal connection to his signings. If United decided to start fresh in the summer, there would be no emotional ties holding them back.
It was no surprise that many believed Ten Hag's days at Old Trafford were numbered, much like his fellow Dutchman and former Ajax boss Louis van Gaal in 2016. He was heading into the FA Cup final against City with no chance of saving his job, only hoping for a possible victory.
The contrast between United and City couldn't be greater. While United were struggling, City had just secured their fourth consecutive league title and were now aiming for back-to-back Doubles. Despite the noise surrounding the ongoing FFP charges against the club, City's hunger for trophies remained strong.
They had evolved over time, with players like Phil Foden becoming a key player for the team and the addition of Erling Haaland adding to their success without being overly dependent on him. And after tomorrow's final, there would surely be more changes to come. Players like Ilkay Gundogan and Bernardo Silva, who have played crucial roles for Guardiola's side, could potentially be leaving for new challenges.
So as both teams prepared for the final showdown at Wembley, one thing was certain - United were in the midst of a revolution while City continued to evolve, for now. No matter who lifts the cup, one thing remains constant - United's journey of change and City's mantra of evolution.
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