Iconic moments | Liverpool at Wembley | 1996 FA Cup Final
United 1 - 0 Liverpool
A late goal from Eric clinched the FA Cup and ensured United became the first side to win the double twice.
Author | Liam C
United completed a glorious Double Double with victory over the Scousers in the 1996 FA Cup final, a day that still feels every bit as sweet nearly three decades on.
The road to Wembley
Much like the Premier League campaign that same season, United’s FA Cup run had its fair share of nervy moments. The journey began with a tricky third-round tie at Sunderland which needed a replay and a dramatic last-minute winner to see us through. From there, a comfortable 3-0 win over Reading set up a fifth-round Manchester derby, and as always, the stakes were sky-high.
City took the lead through Uwe Rosler, but Eric Cantona, a man reborn since his return from suspension, dragged United back into it before Lee Sharpe sealed the win to silence the blue half of Manchester.
That same pairing of Cantona and Sharpe proved decisive again in the quarter-final against Southampton, setting up a semi-final showdown with Chelsea at Villa Park. True to form, United had to do it the hard way once more. After falling behind to Ruud Gullit’s opener, a blistering spell saw Andy Cole and David Beckham turn the game on its head and send us back to Wembley.
Those suits... The less said the better
The game itself wasn’t a great spectacle.
The game itself was hardly one for the purists. It was tense, scrappy and cagey throughout. But when a flash of brilliance was needed, there was only ever going to be one man to provide it.
With just four minutes left, David James flapped at a cross and punched the ball only as far as Cantona, who was hovering at the edge of the box. In one smooth, instinctive motion, the skipper adjusted his body and crashed a half-volley through a sea of Liverpool defenders and into the back of the net.
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It was pure Eric: audacious, clinical and unforgettable. The moment sealed his redemption arc and cemented United’s place in history as the first English club to win the Double twice. A fitting end to a season that summed up everything about Ferguson’s United. The success was built on resilience and flair.
Reaction
There were a number of key talking points from the pundits and fans. Many praised Alex Ferguson (he wasn’t a sir at the point...) for his bold decision to bring in a group of young players, who would become known as the ‘class of 1992’. Fergie made them key players and sold superstars Mark Hughes, Paul Ince and Andrei Kanchelskis.
The second was Eric Cantona. His influence after returning from suspension was incredible, and he scored a number of key goals along the way.
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