Manchester City players past and present have sent emotional messages to Ilkay Gundogan after the midfielder's move to Barcelona was confirmed on Monday.
06.06.2023 - 16:38 / manchestereveningnews.co.uk
Manchester United defender Raphael Varane has vowed that the club "will come back stronger" following Saturday's heartbreaking 2-1 FA Cup final defeat to Manchester City at Wembley.
Goals from Ilkay Gundogan either side of a Bruno Fernandes penalty were enough to clinch a second trophy of the season for City and keep their treble hopes alive. United found themselves behind after just 13 seconds before Fernandes levelled proceedings just past the half hour mark.
Gundogan, however, bagged his second of the game shortly after half-time, crashing home an effort from the edge of the penalty area that proved decisive. United rallied in the latter stages of the contest in the hope of forcing the game to extra-time but their efforts were to no avail.
READ MORE: Roy Keane blasts David de Gea after FA Cup final
But despite the disappointment that came with the defeat to Pep Guardiola's side, United can look back on this season with the knowledge that they made significant progress in their first campaign under Erik ten Hag. After ending their six-year wait for a trophy back in February, winning the Carabao Cup, they wrapped up a top four finish and secured Champions League qualification last month.
And it is because of those achievements that Varane most probably felt "proud" of his teammates' efforts this season.
"Failure is the foundation of success," said Varane, posting on his Instagram page. "Proud of this team and this club.
"For your support all season, thank you!! We will come back stronger."
United, who have ambitions to strengthen their armoury during the summer transfer window, plan to kick-on next season and continue to make progress under Ten Hag, who won 42 of his first 62 matches in charge this term. The
Manchester City players past and present have sent emotional messages to Ilkay Gundogan after the midfielder's move to Barcelona was confirmed on Monday.
Manchester United ace Marcus Rashford has revealed that he switched his TV off ahead of Manchester City laying their hands on the Champions League trophy in Istanbul last Saturday evening.
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has paid tribute to the special mentality of Manchester United's treble winners ahead of the Champions League final in Istanbul this evening.
Manchester City look to be blessed with a fully fit squad going into the Champions League final against Inter Milan.
Here are your Man United morning headlines on Tuesday, June 7
Erik ten Hag has revealed he told his Manchester United players he was proud of their efforts in Saturday's FA Cup final defeat to Manchester City.
Manchester United could give Mason Mount his favourite No.19 at Old Trafford if Raphael Varane swaps numbers for his own preferred choice.
The Wembley roar that greeted Alejandro Garnacho's arrival into the FA Cup final fray hinted at both Manchester United's huge potential and their biggest problem.
Manchester United have paid tribute to former forward Zlatan Ibrahimovic following his retirement from professional football.
Raphael Varane has branded Karim Benzema a 'legend' after it was announced the striker would be leaving Real Madrid this summer.
Luke Shaw ought to play in the heart of defence once more for Manchester United to try and nullify the threat Manchester City's Erling Haaland poses.
Manchester City have a clean bill of health ahead of today's FA Cup final against Manchester United.
As the dust settled on another thumping for Manchester United away at City, in the sprawling Etihad press room Erik ten Hag unconvincingly explained why he did not maximise a Portuguese-speaking five-times Champions League winner out of "big respect for his career".
Kevin De Bruyne and Jack Grealish could return for Manchester City when they take on Manchester United in the FA Cup final.
Former Manchester United captain Roy Keane admits that he is "worried" for his old club ahead of Saturday's FA Cup final against Manchester City at Wembley - but believes Bruno Fernandes and Marcus Rashford will cause them problems.
Mason Mount could grab his favourite squad number at Manchester United if his proposed transfer goes through - but there will be some red tape for the England international to tackle first.
Erik ten Hag made five permanent Manchester United summer signings, with Tyrell Malacia, Christian Eriksen, Casemiro, Antony and Lisandro Martinez all putting pen to paper in his first window.
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag believes David de Gea has showed 'progression' with his footwork at times this season as he contemplates what to do next in his encouraging Old Trafford rebuild.
Brentford boss Thomas Frank says a low block, high pressure and maximising set-pieces are the key to achieving a result against Manchester City ahead of their FA Cup final with Manchester United on Saturday.
Erik ten Hag says he expects Lisandro Martinez back at Carrington in the next few days and hopes he will return from injury in time for the start of pre-season.