Manchester United's record in FA Cup finals
Manchester United is an institution synonymous with glory, and they've secured their fair share of FA Cup successes over the years.
It took some time for the Red Devils to establish themselves as a significant player in the English game, but they've been a dominant force for well over half a century after Sir Matt Busby took the reins as manager post-World War II.
Sir Alex Ferguson took the club to stratospheric heights during his lengthy tenure, and while the FA Cup perhaps wasn't always at the top of the Scot's priorities, United evolved into serial winners of the competition under his tutelage.
However, United aren't the most successful club in FA Cup history.
How many times have Manchester United won the FA Cup?
Man Utd's 12 FA Cup trophies is only bettered by Arsenal, who have won the competition 14 times.
11 of United's triumphs arrived after Busby took over in 1945, with Ferguson leading them to five crowns.
Their first victory under Fergie came in dramatic fashion against Crystal Palace in the 1990 final. After the two sides played out a thrilling 3-3 draw which went to extra time, United edged the replay 1-0 thanks to a second-half goal from full-back Lee Martin.
That was the first of five FA Cup final appearances in the 90s for the Manchester club. Ferguson's side started to emerge as the country's dominant force following the inauguration of the Premier League, and they appeared in three straight finals between 1994 and 1996. Victories over Chelsea and Liverpool arrived either side of a surprise defeat to Everton.
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In 1999, United beat Newcastle 2-0 in the last FA Cup final of the Millennium.
Fergie's Red Devils returned to the competition's showpiece event in 2004 where they eased past second-tier outfit Millwall 3-0. They returned to the Millennium Stadium the following season, but this time they were beaten by Arsenal on penalties following a 0-0 stalemate.
In fact, United's victory over Millwall proved to be their last FA Cup success under Ferguson. They reached the final in 2007 in what was the first FA Cup final to be played at the new Wembley, but Chelsea beat the Red Devils 1-0.
Since Fergie's retirement in 2013, United have reached two FA Cup finals. After beating a dancing Alan Pardew and his Crystal Palace side in 2016, Jose Mourinho's Red Devils were outdone by Antonio Conte's Chelsea in 2018.
Year | Opponent | Result |
---|---|---|
1909 | Bristol City | 1-0 |
1948 | Blackpool | 4-2 |
1957 | Aston Villa | 1-2 |
1958 | Bolton Wanderers | 0-2 |
1963 | Leicester | 3-1 |
1976 | Southampton | 0-1 |
1977 | Liverpool | 2-1 |
1979 | Arsenal | 2-3 |
1983 | Brighton & Hove Albion | 2-2 (4-2R) |
1985 | Everton | 1-0 |
1990 | Crystal Palace | 3-3 (1-0R) |
1994 | Chelsea | 4-0 |
1995 | Everton | 0-1 |
1996 | Liverpool | 1-0 |
1999 | Newcastle | 2-0 |
2004 | Millwall | 3-0 |
2005 | Arsenal | 0-0 (4-5p) |
2007 | Chelsea | 0-1 |
2016 | Crystal Palace | 2-1 |
2018 | Chelsea | 0-1 |
Manchester United's record in FA Cup finals
- Games played: 20
- Wins: 12
- Draws: 1*
- Losses: 7
- Goals scored: 36
- Goals conceded: 24
*Man Utd lost the 2005 final against Arsenal on penalties
Manchester United's top scorers in FA Cup finals
Player | Goals | Cup finals scored in |
---|---|---|
Bryan Robson | 3 | 1983 & 1990 |
Mark Hughes | 3 | 1990 & 1994 |
Eric Cantona | 3 | 1994 & 1996 |
Norman Whiteside | 2 | 1983 & 1985 |
Ruud van Nistelrooy | 2 | 2004 |
John Rowley | 2 | 1948 |
David Herd | 2 | 1963 |