FA Cup final defeat is another reason for Manchester United to be ruthless with two more players amid squad clearout

How to measure the gulf between the Manchester clubs? The FA Cup final provided another gauge: City's second-choice goalkeeper is more competent than United's No.1.

Goodness knows when United will decide to announce De Gea's inevitable contract renewal. There is not a good time now. Not when he has contributed to a City double and probable treble.

De Gea conceded identically for the second month running, palming Ilkay Gundogan's trickling volley into the corner of the net. He had done similarly at the opposite end of the Jubilee Line against Said Benrahma.

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United will not become a genuine force again with a goalkeeper who literally and metaphorically stands still. The City custodian Stefan Ortega had little to do with his hands but was faultless with his feet, bringing serenity to an anxious occasion. Gamesmanship, too. He was booked.

There is much United will rue from their second successive FA Cup final loss, particularly the early goals they sieved at the start of each half - the first after 12 seconds. It has been an unwanted habit of United to be so porous so soon after the referee's shrill.

That affected their game plan and they were behind the curve for the majority of a tense final. A team that has struggled for goals was struggling for goalscorers. Of the substitutes, Scott McTominay came the closest to triggering extra-time. Hardly any United players placed their silver medal around their neck.

United supporters sang "we love United, we do" as full-time loomed - acceptance of a successful season despite its downbeat denouement. The worst may be yet to come if City overcome Inter Milan in Istanbul next week.

However narrow the loss, United cannot be lenient in the