FA Cup

Manchester United's past FA Cup finals

By Oliver Thomas, Senior Reporter | 30 May 2024

Sports Mole takes a look at Manchester United's previous appearances in the FA Cup final.

The FA Cup is England's oldest and most prestigious cup competition, steeped in history and tradition, and is watched by millions across the globe.

Over 40 teams have been fortunate enough to get their hands on the famous trophy, including Manchester United who are one of the most successful teams in the competition's history.

Here, Sports Mole takes a look at Man United's previous appearances in the FA Cup final.

1909 - Bristol City 0-1 Manchester United

Both Bristol City and Man United were competing in their first FA Cup final back in 1909, but it was the Red Devils who came out on top by a narrow 1-0 scoreline thanks to a first-half goal from Sandy Turnbull.

1948 - Manchester United 4-2 Blackpool

Thirty-nine years passed before Man United reached their second FA Cup final and won the prestigious prize for the first time in their history after beating Blackpool 4-2 at Wembley. Although the Tangerines led twice in the first half, John Rowley scored a brace for the Red Devils before Stan Pearson and John Anderson sealed the victory with two late goals.

1957 - Aston Villa 2-1 Manchester United

Not long after being crowned top-flight champions, Man United were denied the chance to win the double by Aston Villa, who won their seventh FA Cup via a 2-1 scoreline in 1957. Tommy Taylor scored what proved to be only a late consolation strike for the Red Devils in a contest marred by an early collision between Villa's Peter McParland and United goalkeeper Ray Wood that left the latter unconscious with a broken cheekbone.

Six of the 11 players who played for Man United tragically lost their lives in the Munich Air Disaster just nine months later.

1958 - Manchester United 0-2 Bolton Wanderers

Man United became the first side in over half a century to lose back-to-back FA Cup finals as they were beaten 2-0 by Bolton Wanderers, who were managed by former Red Devils player Bill Riding. Nat Lofthouse starred for the Trotters with two goals, although his second was a controversial one as he barged into United goalkeeper Harry Gregg on his way to heading the ball home.

1963 - Leicester City 1-3 Manchester United

Leicester City completed the league double over Man United earlier in the 1962-63 season, but the Red Devils go their revenge in the FA Cup final thanks to goals from David Herd (2) and Denis Law.

1976 - Manchester United 0-1 Southampton

One of the biggest shocks in FA Cup final history took place in 1976 when second-tier Southampton claimed a surprise 1-0 win over Man United courtesy of an 83rd-minute winner from Bobby Stokes.

1977 - Liverpool 1-2 Manchester United

Man United made amends just a year later and secured a slender 2-1 victory over Liverpool. All three goals were scored within a five-minute period at the start of the second half, with Jimmy Case netting for the Merseysiders in between strikes from Red Devils duo Stuart Pearson and Jimmy Greenhoff.

1979 - Manchester United 2-3 Arsenal

Twenty-two years later, Man United were on the wrong end of a thrilling 3-2 scoreline in the 1979 FA Cup final. First-half goals from Brian Talbot and Frank Stapleton looked to have secured the win for the Gunners before the Red Devils fought back with goals in the 87th and 88th minutes from Gordon McQueen and Sammy McIlroy. The late drama continued, though, as Arsenal went straight down the other end to net a famous 89th-minute winner through Alan Sunderland.

1983 - Brighton & Hove Albion 0-4 Manchester United (replay)

After being forced to settle for a 2-2 draw in the first match, Man United cruised to a 4-0 victory over Brighton & Hove Albion in the replay of the 1983 final, thanks to a brace from captain Bryan Robson and goals from Norman Whiteside and Arnold Muhren to win their fifth FA Cup.

1985 - Everton 0-1 Manchester United

Man United centre-back Kevin Moran became the first ever player to be sent off in an FA Cup final after committing a professional foul on Everton's Peter Reid 12 minutes before the end of normal time.

However, the Red Devils found a way to win with 10 men and had Norman Whiteside to thank in the 110th minute of extra time when he curled a brilliant shot past Toffees' goalkeeper Neville Southall into the far corner.

1990 - Crystal Palace 0-1 Manchester United (replay)

Man United suffered their lowest league finish (13th) in the 1989-90 season since their relegation from the First Division 15 years earlier, but they ended the campaign on a high by lifting their seventh FA Cup.

After a thrilling 3-3 draw in the first match, the Red Devils battled their way to a narrow 1-0 win in the replay, with Lee Martin scoring the only goal just before the hour mark to help Sir Alex Ferguson celebrate winning his first major trophy in charge of the club.

1994 - Chelsea 0-4 Manchester United

Man United eased to their biggest FA Cup final win (excluding replays) when they beat Chelsea 4-0 in the 1994 showpiece. The game was goalless for the first hour of the contest, but the floodgates opened after Eric Cantona scored two penalties in the space of six minutes, before Mark Hughes and Brian McClair got their names on the scoresheet. United celebrated winning their first-ever league and FA Cup double.

1995 - Manchester United 0-1 Everton

Man United were unable to retain the FA Cup a year later as they were beaten 1-0 by Everton, courtesy of a first-half headed goal from Paul Rideout and an inspired display between the sticks from Neville Southall.

1996 - Liverpool 0-1 Manchester United

Man United were on the right side of a 1-0 scoreline against Merseyside opposition in the 1996 final, this time beating Liverpool after Eric Cantona fired home an 86th-minute volley to claim their ninth FA Cup trophy.

1999 - Manchester United 2-0 Newcastle United

Just four days before winning the Champions League in dramatic fashion to become the first English club to win a historic treble, Man United celebrated their 10th FA Cup triumph after beating Newcastle United 2-0 in the 1999 final, thanks to goals either side of half time from Teddy Sheringham and Paul Scholes.

2004 - Manchester United 3-0 Millwall

Due to the ongoing reconstruction of Wembley Stadium, the 2004 FA Cup final was played at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff for the fourth successive year. Man United ran out comfortable 3-0 winners against second-tier Millwall and secured a then-record 11th FA Cup thanks to a brace from Ruud van Nistelrooy and a headed opener from Cristiano Ronaldo, who celebrated his first major title as a Red Devils player.

2005 - Manchester United 0-0 Arsenal (Arsenal win 5-4 on penalties)

Man United endured a rare trophyless season under Ferguson in 2004-05, and after coming up short in the Premier League title race (finishing third), the League Cup and Community Shield (runners-up in both), the Red Devils were unable to retain the FA Cup as they lost 5-4 on penalties to Arsenal following a goalless stalemate in 120 minutes.

Paul Scholes was the unfortunate one to have his spot kick saved by goalkeeper Jens Lehmann, before Patrick Vieira tucked home the winning penalty for the Gunners.

2007 - Manchester United 0-1 Chelsea

Ferguson's Man United and Jose Mourinho's Chelsea locked horns for the first FA Cup final at the new Wembley in 2007, and it was the latter who came out on top by a slender 1-0 scoreline after extra time.

The tight contest appeared to be heading for penalties, but with just four minutes remaining, Blues striker Didier Drogba prodded home the match-winner following a neat one-two with Frank Lampard on the edge of the area.

2016 - Manchester United 2-1 Crystal Palace

Man United's 12th and most recent FA Cup triumph to date was in 2016, when they left it late to come from behind to beat Crystal Palace 2-1 after extra time. The Red Devils hit the woodwork twice before Jason Puncheon's powerful finish from a tight angle put the Eagles ahead in the 78th minute.

However, Juan Mata equalised just three minutes later when he squeezed a volley in at the near post, before super sub Jesse Lingard lashed home a stunning first-time strike in extra time, five minutes after Chris Smalling was sent off, to seal the victory for Man United.

2018 - Manchester United 0-1 Chelsea

Eleven years on from guiding Chelsea to FA Cup glory against Man United, Jose Mourinho was in the Red Devils dugout as the Blues claimed a narrow 1-0 win in 2018.

Despite boasting 18 shots on Chelsea's goal, United lacked a cutting edge in the final third, and the contest was ultimately decided by Eden Hazard's composed first-half penalty that was awarded after Phil Jones had clumsily brought down the Belgian inside the area.

2023 - Manchester City 2-1 Manchester United

The 142nd FA Cup showpiece was the first all-Manchester derby affair which began with the fastest-ever goal scored in the competition's final by Man City captain Ilkay Gundogan, who fired a magnificent volley past David de Gea from the edge of the penalty box.

Bruno Fernandes converted from the penalty spot to restore parity for Man United midway through the first half, but Gundogan scored his second volley of the match six minutes after the break to seal the win for City and secure one of three trophies for the Citizens as part of a historic treble.

2024 - Manchester City 1-2 Manchester United

Twelve months later, Man City were regarded as firm favourites to retain the trophy and become the first-ever English club to win the league title and FA Cup in consecutive seasons. However, the Citizens were left stunned by an impressive Man United display, particularly in the first half when teenage duo Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo put the Red Devils in control. City substitute Jeremy Doku pulled one back in the closing stages, but United held on to win their 13th FA Cup.