FA Cup final 2016 player ratings: Manchester United’s Wayne Rooney and Marcus Rashford score highly in 2-1 win over Crystal Palace
A stunning Jesse Lingard strike in extra-time gave 10-man Manchester United a 2-1 win over Crystal Palace and earned the Red Devils a record-equalling 12th FA Cup, their first since 2004.
For 110 minutes there was little to separate the two sides. Here's how they rated:
Crystal Palace
Wayne Hennessey – 7
Made a strong save to keep out a curling Juan Mata shot in the first half, was helped out with blocking and last-ditch tackling from his defence.
Joel Ward – 4
Martial and Rojo were afforded too much joy on United's left flank in the first half, will wish he stood firmer to keep out Juan Mata's equaliser.
Scott Dann – 6
OK, but was running the risk of a red card before being substituted off for Adrian Mariappa.
Damien Delaney – 5
Typically committed showing, but was left embarrassed by Marcus Rashford on a couple of occasions in the first half.
Pape Souare – 6
Impressive. More clearances and blocks than any other player on the field with 16. And always happy to get forward to help his wingers.
Mile Jedinak – 5
Could not tame Fellaini in the air. Made a hash with a free shot on goal in the second half that a more technically gifted player would have put away.
James McArthur – 5
Didn't do much.
Yohan Cabaye – 4
United could have been hurt had the Frenchman's deliveries been up to his usual standard. Some may argue the Frenchman was lucky to remain on the pitch after appearing to stamp on Marcus Rashford.
Yannick Bolasie – 8
Constant thorn in Anthony Valencia's side and unafraid to have a go – twice forced De Gea into saves at his near post with shots from distance. His threat was demonstrated when Chris Smalling was prepared to take a red card rather than let him free on goal.
Wilfried Zaha – 7
Similarly relentless in not allowing Rojo to relax all game, but his final ball and decision making remain infuriatingly inconsistent.
Connor Wickham – 6
Not given a huge amount to work with but may have had a match-winning goal had Mark Clattenberg given him an advantage after he beat Chris Smalling to a through ball.
Subs:
Jason Puncheon – 7 (72' for Cabaye)
Beautiful goal just moments after coming on the pitch. But could have done more to stop Antonio Valencia on the approach to United's winner.
Dwight Gayle – 6 (86' for Wickham)
Golden opportunity wasted when he toe-poked straight at De Gea after being put through by Zaha with score at 1-1.
Adrian Marriapa – 7 (94' for Dann)
Easily slotted into a high-pressure scenario.
Manchester United
David De Gea – 7
Could have done little to keep out Puncheon's rocket, but did everything else asked of him.
Antonio Valencia – 6
Almost bagged an assist when his floated cross was headed onto the wordwork by Anthony Martial in the second half. Good work in the build-up to Jesse Lingard's winner.
Daley Blind – 6
Dealt with both Wickham and Gayle easily and as cool as ever in possession bar one brain-freeze which let Zaha get a free run into the penalty area.
Chris Smalling – 4
Sent-off for two cynical fouls after allowing Palace players to get in behind his defence.
Marcos Rojo – 6
Linked well with Martial going forward and kept Zaha quiet. Furious at Delaney for the challenge which forced him off on 66 minutes.
Michael Carrick – 6
Should have scored with a free header in the second half of extra time and although was a disciplined link between defence and midfield, a stray pass to Cabaye in the first half provided Palace with a rare shooting opportunity.
Marouane Fellaini – 8
Unlucky not to be on the score sheet. Continually got the better of man-marker Mile Jedinak in the air and crashed a shot onto the crossbar early in the second half.
Wayne Rooney – 8
Is becoming increasingly comfortable in a midfield role, although was guilty of trying to be too cute in his attempts to fill Paul Scholes' boots. Rolled back the years with a brilliant slaloming run through Palace's defence to set up Mata's equaliser and haul his side back into the match.
Juan Mata – 8
Linked well with Rashford, Martial and Rooney and finished confidently to keep United in the tie.
Anthony Martial – 6
Hit the post in with a deft header in the second half and was denied by Joel Ward in the first, but faded badly once Rashford was withdrawn. The Frenchman gave the ball away nine times – more than any other player.
Marcus Rashford – 8
Incredible pace matched with quick thinking and smart runs in the box was too much for Palace to handle. More than justified his place in Roy Hodgson's 26-man England squad on this performance alone.
Subs:
Matteo Darmian – 6 (66' for Rojo)
Did OK in his unnatural position of centre-back during extra time.
Ashley Young – 6 (72' for Rashford)
United missed Rashford.
Jesse Lingard – 8 (90' for Mata)
Earned a place in history beautifully struck strike that will go down as one of the greatest FA Cup final match winners ever.