FA Cup match-winner Jesse Lingard has praised the team spirit that saw Manchester United beat Crystal Palace to lift the FA Cup for the first time since 2004.
The sides were level at 1-1 going into extra time, until Lingard stepped up to strike a sweet volley into the top corner, leaving Palace goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey with little chance of getting in the way.
The goal scorer, in his delight at winning the trophy for his boyhood club, told United’s official Channel: “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.”
Positive attitude from Lingard
Lingard will have felt disappointed at the beginning of the match after being told by manager Louis van Gaal that he would not be starting, having featured prominently all season in the starting XI.
The 23-year-old didn’t display any grievances though after replacing Juan Mata in the dying moments of normal time, as he produced a fitting strike to win the tie.
“It was a massive feeling," he said. "To win it is great and ending the season on a high with my family and friends watching in the crowd.”
Season ends on a high
As captain Wayne Rooney lifted the cup for the Red Devils, it capped off a difficult season for United, after they have been openly criticised for their style of play and lack of creativity.
After failing to qualify for Champions League football next season, fans have had little to sing about prior to their Wembley triumph, and that lack of top level European football has seen manager van Gaal linked with the sack, with Jose Mourinho heavily speculated to come in.
United will now go into the summer with multiple questions looming over the club - with the possibility of a new manager and several players said to come in and out of the club.