WHAT SHOCK FA CUP WIN MEANS FOR MAN UTD, CHELSEA AND NEWCASTLE IN EUROPE

The FA Cup final between Manchester City and Manchester United had significant repercussions for two other Premier League clubs in the battle for Europe.

Following a miserable eighth-place finish in the Premier League, the FA Cup final represented United’s last chance to qualify for Europe next season.

Few expected the result to go their way, however, especially as the build-up to the match was dominated by speculation Erik ten Hag would be sacked – regardless of the outcome of the FA Cup final.

United were also coming up against a Manchester City side aiming to clinch an unprecedented domestic double following their fourth successive Premier League title win.

But Manchester United caused a huge upset at Wembley, beating their local rivals 2-1 to lift the FA Cup for the 13th time and win a second trophy under Ten Hag.

United produced an impressive counter-attacking display, scoring two first-half goals through Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo, before holding onto their lead despite Jeremy Doku’s late goal.

The unexpected victory sees United qualify for next season’s Europa League alongside Tottenham, who finished three places and six points above the Red Devils.

Two clubs who would have been cheering on Pep Guardiola’s side at Wembley were Chelsea and Newcastle United, who have both been dealt European blows by United’s win.

Chelsea, who are currently searching for a new manager after Mauricio Pochettino’s shock departure, thought they would be joining London rivals Spurs in the Europa League but United winning the FA Cup means they now drop down to the Europa Conference League.

The situation is even worse for Newcastle, who thought they had pipped Manchester United to the final European place but drop out of Europe altogether following the FA Cup final result.

Premier League winners Manchester City, runners-up Arsenal, third-placed Liverpool and fourth-placed Aston Villa will also compete in the Champions League next season.

Analysing Manchester United’s FA Cup final upset, ex-England striker Alan Shearer said on BBC: ‘Erik ten Hag has had to answer so many questions and he has certainly heard the reports this weekend.

‘On the day of the cup final he has had to deal with reporters asking about his future when all he wants to do is set his team up and get his team ready.

‘From the human side of things, I don’t think it has been handled at all well from Manchester United. If they are planning on keeping him, why haven’t they come out and backed him beforehand?

‘But if he’s going to go, what a way to go out.’

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2024-05-25T16:10:56Z dg43tfdfdgfd