Charles Jackson
On Saturday, Wembley will host a high-stakes Manchester Derby, Manchester United It is City of Manchester face each other in the FA Cup final. For Manchester City, the chance of a double is on the line after securing the Premier League title, while for Manchester United, winning this match is their only chance in European football next season. The Red Devils finished eighth in the Premier League under Erik ten Hag, but a win would send them into the Europa League, taking from Chelsea local and sending the Blues to the Europa Conference League.
While the match takes place between teams who finished the Premier League season separated by 31 points, Manchester United’s run in the FA Cup is something that shows that league form does not always matter. United needed extra time and a winner after 121 minutes of play to go through Liverpool in the quarter-finals, followed by a penalty shootout victory over Coventry City after giving up a 3–0 lead. United’s run has been full of drama, while City have progressed with relative ease, scoring eight goals in the last two rounds and conceding just two.
Pep Guardiola’s machine is at full strength this season, but he has already been eliminated in two cups, showing that nothing can be taken for granted. Despite winning the Premier League title, Guardiola promised to have his team guaranteed for this match.
“What I want is for my players to enjoy two or three days and then we have two days to prepare for the final, but at the moment I don’t know exactly what the motivation is to do so. [next season] because it’s hard to find it when everything is done”, Guardiola told Sky Sports. “But knowing the players and myself, I know when we’re out there we’re going to say why shouldn’t we win today? .”
How to watch and odds
- Date: Saturday, May 25th | Time: 10 a.m. ET
- Location: Wembley Stadium – London
- TELEVISION: None | Live broadcast: ESPN+
- Chances: City of Manchester -310; Draw +430; Manchester United +750
Players to watch
Phil Foden: After being named Premier League Player of the Season and also scoring two goals to help secure the title, Foden has been instrumental for Manchester City this season and his role is only increasing. A key player at just 23, Foden has scored 27 goals and assisted a further 11 in all competitions so far this season. With two goals in the FA Cup, he will be called up again by Manchester City against their rivals. Foden has already scored three goals against United this season and one more could be enough to win another trophy in his illustrious career.
Bruno Fernandes: Although the season was a rollercoaster for Manchester United, Fernandes was still effective with 15 goals and 12 assists. Three goals and two assists came in an FA Cup game where the United captain had to push his team forward as every position around him changed. With Rasmus Hojlund back in contention for the starting position, Fernandes will have an outlet to help press him, but when a big move needs to be made, United will still look in his direction.
Prediction
Although it will be a tight game, the pain of losing back-to-back Champions League titles will drive Manchester City to do everything they can to defeat their rivals and win the FA Cup. Punctuation: Manchester City 2, Manchester United 1
