Manchester United vs Tottenham LIVE: Women’s FA Cup final reaction after Garcia double inspires Reds win

Wembley was hot and Ella Toone was red in the face, the frustration of missed chances in the Women’s FA Cup final written clear. As Tottenham Hotspur clung on, Manchester United risked history repeating itself. These are the days that can pass you by in a moment, that can slip by under the glare of the May sunshine. But then, right on the stroke of half-time, everything changed. Once again, it was Toone who took charge. With a special goal from the edge of the box, at the end of a driving run, it was Toone who shattered the illusion of United and Spurs sharing a level playing field in the meeting of first-time finalists. An outrageous strike shaped a one-sided final.

Report from Wembley

Sir Jim Ratcliffe praised the “historic moment” and “wonderful achievement” of the Manchester United women’s team winning the FA Cup for the first time - despite missing the Wembley final to be at Old Trafford to watch the men’s team play against Arsenal.

United defeated Tottenham 4-0 to win the Women’s FA Cup on Sunday afternoon, but Ratcliffe, the Ineos boss and new minority investor of United, was instead at Old Trafford to watch Erik ten Hag’s side in the Premier League, which kicked off two hours later.

Ratcliffe, who was joined by Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer at Old Trafford, was at Manchester United’s men’s FA Cup semi-final win over Coventry last month, and is set to be at the men’s final on 25 May when they face Manchester City. On Sunday, United’s men’s team were beaten 1-0 by Arsenal.

Marc Skinner is keen to stay on as Manchester United manager as he saluted his “history-makers” after a 4-0 win over Tottenham in the Women’s FA Cup final clinched the club’s first major trophy.

United finished runners-up in this competition to Chelsea at Wembley last year but showed their class and experience against first-time finalists Spurs.

Ella Toone gave United a deserved half-time lead and it proved the catalyst for a one-sided second period, with Rachel Williams able to head in a second after 54 minutes against her old club before Lucia Garcia hit a brace.

Victory eases the pressure on Skinner, who guided the club to second place in the Women’s Super League last season but has endured a difficult campaign this time around with United set to finish fifth.

While Skinner’s contract is set to expire this summer, the 41-year-old is in talks over fresh terms and is confident he can mastermind future success.

Manchester United manager Marc Skinner admitted he was unsure if Mary Earps would be at the club next season following the 4-0 Women’s FA Cup final victory over Tottenham.

England goalkeeper Earps is out of contract at the end of the season but helped the club’s first piece of silverware, six years after the formation of the women’s team, at Wembley.

Alessia Russo left United at the end of her contract last season and joined rivals Arsenal on a free transfer, while Earps is set to attract interest from sides across Europe.

United are desperate to keep Earps and conversations are ongoing around her future, but the club have underperformed in the Women’s Super League this season and could finish fifth after challenging for the title next season.

Skinner, who is also out of contract at the end of the season, said winning the FA Cup at Wembley would “help” contact negotiations but was unable to provide assurances that Earps would stay.

Marc Skinner on Ella Toone’s goal and using the FA Cup win as a “springboard”.

“Iconic moment, iconic player, iconic club. We need to get back to where we want to be in the league. [The club] feels a positive space to be in. For us, I’ve been excited by the energy that is driving internally. It won’t be long until we are talked about as the elite. I know what’s coming and it’s an exciting time to be a United fan.”

Marc Skinner after winning the FA Cup. “I’m happy with the job that I’m doing at Manchester United. This experience gives the players something to build on. We’re not happy to be where we are in the league, but this is a historic moment for the club. It’s not relief.

“Before the game, we were in a good space. It was a business job to do. I want to give Tottenham credit for the run we had. If they use it like we used it last year, it will do them well. For us, it feels nice to be present in the moment. It’s a moment to enjoy.”

Manchester United manager Marc Skinner admitted he was unsure if Mary Earps would be at the club next season following the 4-0 Women’s FA Cup final victory over Tottenham.

England goalkeeper Earps is out of contract at the end of the season but helped the club’s first piece of silverware, six years after the formation of the women’s team, at Wembley.

United are desperate to keep Earps and conversations are ongoing around her future, but the club have underperformed in the Women’s Super League this season and could finish fifth after challenging for the title next season.

England striker Alessia Russo left United at the end of her contract last season and joined rivals Arsenal on a free transfer, while Earps is set to attract interest from sides across Europe.

Skinner, who is also out of contract at the end of the season, said winning the FA Cup at Wembley would “help” contact negotiations but was unable to provide assurances that Earps would stay.

"That is a decision to be made later, it is not a conversation for now,” he told the BBC. “I’m sure it does help but me and Mary have a great relationship. Of course I would love her to stay. She is an FA Cup winner.”

Tottenham manager Robert Vilahamn: “It’s not a fun day for us, when the score is that big. The first goal was tough for us, before half-time. The first half was competitive but the second and third goals were quick. It’s tough for us, but we’re proud of the season.

“We are going to learn from this, that’s what we want. We want to have these big games, with this crowd. Even for me, I learned how tough it was to talk to the players on the pitch.

“We want to perform on this stage. It was sad for the fans but this is not the end today, it is the beginning.”

Goalscorer Rachel Williams, speaking to BBC One, after finding she was in the starting line-up at Wembley: "It was a shock yesterday morning sitting there in analysis to see the team go up and I was little like 'oh I might have to do something this weekend'. We knew Tottenham would make it hard having played them a few weeks ago. Today it was about being in control and taking the game to them to get the win."

Manchester United manager Marc Skinner after winning the FA Cup final: “In all honesty I felt that first half was just frustration because we didn’t score, I thought we offered more of a threat, we controlled most of their threat. As much as I am exhausted now it is a magical feeling. Tooney scored one of those goals at Leicester but it is another thing to do it at Wembley. I told her on the podium you have to feel it, remember it because it comes and goes too quick, and that is what she did. Congratulations to her and the team, we are FA Cup winners.

”We are obviously not where we want in the league right? But we are history makers for Manchester United. I didn’t need to remind the owners of that, they know. There is a lot of support and love for our team and the growth. We want to compete for titles but you all know how important adding that first piece of silverware is. We’ve got nothing but growth ahead.”