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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Sport
George Smith

Ian Wright questions Manchester United tactical decision vs Man City in FA Cup final

Former Arsenal and England striker Ian Wright questioned the decision to leave Alejandro Garnacho out of Manchester United's starting line-up following their 2-1 FA Cup final defeat to Manchester City at Wembley on Saturday.

With both Anthony Martial and Antony ruled out through injury, manager Erik ten Hag was forced to tinker with his front-three, starting Marcus Rashford through the middle and tasking Bruno Fernandes with starting on the right-wing. Jadon Sancho started on the left.

Fernandes, even without his goal, was the most effective member of the trio, particularly in the second half, whereas Sancho failed to leave his calling card. The former Borussia Dortmund man was anonymous and was taken off after 78 minutes and replaced by Burnley loanee Wout Weghorst.

READ MORE: United summer transfer decision became even easier after City defeat

But it was not until Garnacho had stepped off the bench just past the hour mark that United started to make things happen in the final third. The youngster was their most threatening player in the closing stages, with much of the Reds' good play coming down the left-wing.

Every time he got on the ball he tried to make something happen and give City's defenders something to think about. It was an eye-catching cameo performance and one that Wright was impressed with.

"I thought we would see more from Manchester United," Wright told ITV Sport. "They improved after Garnacho came on and he definitely should have started the game, for me.

"He proved he had a little bit more thrust about him. Other than that, Manchester City were in total control really. It was quite tepid from United in the end."

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