Five Truths: De Gea's redemption, Rooney's revival and a winner worthy of a great final

You know something monumental has happened when Louis van Gaal rises from his seat and charges towards the pitch. It was a standout image from an otherwise miserable two years in charge, one that will surely come to an end regardless of Saturday’s win.

We’ve seen some crackers in FA Cup finals over the years – Steven Gerrard and Ricky Villa the standout entries – but Jesse Lingard’s wasn’t far behind. It was a fitting way to sign off a domestic season and, perhaps, usher a new era of United dominance…

As David De Gea barked for offside, he failed to notice that he had strayed a few centimetres to the left. Jason Puncheon struck, the Spaniard flapped, United were behind. After a season of being near-impenetrable, it was his error that looked set to cost United.

Then Juan Mata levelled. Suddenly, he was needed again. And he stepped up in magnificent fashion, clawing away a fierce Yannick Bolasie drive before denying Dwight Gayle from close-range. Mr Dependable produced two huge saves – and they were pivotal in United’s triumph.

The FA Cup doesn’t matter?! Try telling that to the Crystal Palace fans who wielded a menacing eagle ‘tifo’ – an abundance of balloons and flags as a colourful supporting cast – before making Wembley tremble from start to finish. Even if it’s taken on less significance for the elite, there were plenty of signs on Saturday that it mattered to the rest. The atmosphere, to which United belatedly played their part, was a throwback. It was a much-needed reminder that despite all the riches the Premier League provides, the cup still has an important place.

Many fans already seem intent on inducting Wayne Rooney into the ‘Midfielder’s Hall of Fame’, such is the fanfare surrounding his move into a deep-lying role. Since when were pretty diagonal passes the litmus test for a midfield general? Rooney’s display was littered with misplaced distribution, and the odd rash moment, before his glorious jinking run hauled United back into the contest. And it's that last moment, that his display will be remembered for.

It could have been a different story, had Mark Clattenburg penalised the 30-year-old for an awkward challenge on Wilfried Zaha inside his own box. Which brings us onto…

Small admission before the takedown: a referee’s position is unenviable at the best of times. That all being said, Mark Clattenburg had an FA Cup final he’d probably rather forget.

It all started with a hopeless decision to penalise Chris Smalling after a 50-50 tussle with Connor Wickham. He had to wave play on... He didn’t. Wickham danced into the penalty area and tucked home, but the whistle was long gone. It was a decision that changed the complexion of the match.

A second incident – this time unlikely to lead to a goal – brought Alan Pardew charging onto the touchline. Chuck in the above penalty incident, and Clattenburg will realise he may have altered the result.