Louis van Gaal arrived at Manchester United as the "Iron Tulip" and departs as the "muddled thinker". The confusion that swirled around his tactics, team selection and man management is why José Mourinho is set to take over from him and there were problems again evident at Wembley.
One of Van Gaal's persistent moans this season has been the lack of pacy wingers. Step forward, then, Jesse Lingard, who is precisely this and who before Saturday's 2-1 victory against Crystal Palace had made 39 appearances in a breakthrough year.
He was in the starting lineup who beat Bournemouth 3-1 on Tuesday night at Old Trafford but, despite Van Gaal’s pointing to the need for speed along the flanks, Lingard was dropped against Crystal Palace.
A head scratcher – but Van Gaal has made this a prime occupation for those who have regularly watched his United these past two seasons.
With Wayne Rooney and Marouane Fellaini playing a game of should I stay, should I go, United had a man too many in midfield – and this slowed them. The last thing this Van Gaal side requires is further hindrance to any attacking with zest. So United were even stodgier than usual – some feat – and would advance to territory near Palace's area and no further.
It meant that at half-time they “dominated” but were held at 0-0. And it meant they were vulnerable to the kind of smash-and-grab goal they have too often conceded under Van Gaal.
On 78 minutes it occurred. Palace had been subdued, then up popped Jason Puncheon with a volley that beat David de Gea from close in on an angle.
Nightmare
Pardew’s side were in dreamland and Van Gaal’s were in the nightmare of being responsible for United’s third consecutive FA Cup final loss, to follow 2007 and 2005.
Rooney, however, was about to step up and show his class. His mazy run from near the centre circle to the right edge of the opposition area bent the Palace defence out of shape and when his cross was chested-down by Fellaini, a grateful Juan Mata finished to the net.
Cue a mightily relieved United. This was nine minutes from the end and then in extra-time Chris Smalling was dismissed for a second yellow card on 105 minutes. By the 110th United were ahead. Lingard had eventually been thrown on by Van Gaal, just before the close of normal time.
He showed his class and what United had been missing, letting fly with a rocket of a volley that gave Wayne Hennessey no chance.
Of his Boy’s Own moment, Lingard said: “It was a massive feeling. To win it is great and ending the season on a high with my family and friends watching in the crowd. It fell nicely for me to hit, I knew I had to catch it right and luckily I did.”
Bloody-mindedness
United deserved the victory and glory of a 12th Cup triumph that puts them alongside Arsenal as the competition’s most successful club. It was a win of bloody-mindedness – as if the players wanted to prevail despite, and not because of, Van Gaal.
Lingard said: “It’s the United way – we showed great team spirit. We had the older lads in midfield and youth up front to guide us through.”
Van Gaal, who yesterday indicated that his time at United was “over”, at least ended two muddled years as a winner. Being the first man to secure a trophy in the post-Alex Ferguson era, after three years, is no small achievement.
Van Gaal outlined what this means to him. “ My aim was the experience of English football, English culture and to bring a title to Manchester United in spite of the transition that we have to make. I’m very happy because I’ve done it in four countries and I don’t think many other managers can say this. It [feels] unbelievable.” Guardian Service
