FA Cup Preview Manchester United

FA Cup final preview: Manchester United vs Manchester City

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Manchester United vs Manchester City

Red vs Blue.

The pride of Manchester on the line.

But who will win?

165 crunch matches have been and gone, with the red half of Manchester sitting as the kings of the city, winning 65 of those meetings, compared to the sky blues’ 52.

Sir Alex Ferguson’s dynasty ensured for decades the red devils never even heard of their local neighbours.

However, with the globalisation of football and the acquisition of City blue by Sheikh Mansour, the Citizens have risen up.

Such a rise has led to the ‘noisy neighbours’ becoming the dominant force in Manchester, winning five of the last six Premier League titles under current boss Pep Guardiola.

A Manchester derby is always important.

Always significant.

But this tie, is one of a kind.

A Manchester derby cup final. A game never seen before.

The red devils have currently won 12 FA Cups, double their fierce local rivals City have won.

Both sides will do everything to win, that’s guaranteed, but does United have that little bit more to fight for?

With the famous and renowned English treble of 1999, still uniquely achieved only by Ferguson’s men, the threat of City achieving such a feat is an incomprehensible idea.

The Ferguson vs Pep debates have gone on for years, but Ferguson’s ability to win the Champions League in England, particularly in a treble, helps keep him on top of the Spanish manager in many people’s eyes.

However, with a potential treble on the cards, this could threaten Ferguson’s legacy.

Thus, whilst wanting to win the FA Cup and adding another piece of silverware to this season’s collection, Eric ten Hag’s men may have that extra motivation to ensure they beat Guardiola’s side.

Despite this, the City team may also be filled with that little boost at the idea of tarnishing that perfect and unique achievement of being the only English team to win the treble.

As a result, both sides will be prepared to do anything to ensure victory over their rivals.

Predicted lineups

Manchester City:

  1. Goalkeeper – Stefan Ortega – With Ortega starting in the cup competitions, it seems likely Guardiola will choose to trust the German goalkeeper again in the final.
  2. Right Back – Kyle Walker – As Marcus Rashford or Alejandro Garnacho is likely to start on the left wing, Walker’s pace will be an essential asset to stop the deadly forwards.
  3. Centre Back – Ruben Dias – Despite potential fitness worries, its likely Dias, with his tremendous quality and leadership, will start in the final.
  4. Centre Back – John Stones – Although Stones has often played in a midfield role this season, Guardiola will probably revert back to using Stones in his more natural defensive position.
  5. Left Back – Nathan Ake – Having performed at the highest level this year, Ake’s performances will likely earn him a spot in the cup final team.
  6. Defensive Midfielder – Rodri – One of the first names on the team sheet due to his incredible consistency and quality he brings to this Manchester City side.
  7. Centre Midfield – Kevin de Bruyne – Although the Belgian is also struggling with fitness issues, its likely he’ll make it back for Saturday’s big game.
  8. Centre Midfield – Ilkay Gundogan – Particularly in recent weeks, Gundogan has shown once again why he’ll be missed if he leaves the blue of Manchester in the summer. Subsequently, he’s likely to start.
  9. Left Winger – Jack Grealish – Having struggled in his debut season, the 22/23 season has been the Englishman’s chance to thrive. His performances have massively improved earning him a consistent spot in Guardiola’s side and likely in the final.
  10. Striker – Erling Haaland – A no brainer really.
  11. Right Winger – Bernardo Silva – The Portuguese’s work rate and quality on the ball makes him a remarkable asset Guardiola is unlikely to refuse using.

Manchester United:

  1. Goalkeeper – David de Gea – Ten Hag’s number one goalkeeper will definitely be selected again on Saturday.
  2. Right Back – Aaron Wan Bissaka – Although Diogo Dalot has been popular for Ten Hag this season, the Dutch manager may choose to use the English fullback due to his defensive qualities.
  3. Centre Back – Raphael Varane – French excellence providing United with a Rolls Royce of a defender. This makes him a guaranteed starter if he’s fit.
  4. Centre Back – Luke Shaw – The English fullback may start at centre half having played a lot of minutes there this season.
  5. Left Back – Tyrell Malacia – With Shaw doing so well against Haaland in the last derby, Ten Hag could well put the Dutch fullback into his starting eleven to have Shaw at centre half.
  6. Defensive Midfielder – Casemiro – A rock in midfield who’s guaranteed to start.
  7. Centre Midfielder – Fred – The Brazilian may pip Christian Eriksen to the starting spot due to his tenacity and mobility. With United likely set up to defend, Fred’s ability to cover the ground quickly will bring greater attribute than Eriksen’s prowess on the ball.
  8. Centre Midfielder – Bruno Fernandes – the Portuguese’s unbelievable ability on the ball makes him a guaranteed starter for Saturday.
  9. Left Winger – Alejandro Garnacho – With Antony Martial confirmed to be out of the derby through injury, this will likely mean Ten Hag opts to use Rashford as a centre forward and thus the Argentine could slot in on the wing.
  10. Striker – Marcus Rashford – Having won United’s player of the year this week, Rashford will be one of the first picks on the team sheet and one of the easiest.
  11. Right Winger – Jadon Sancho – Having risen to form in recent weeks playing off the right flank, the Englishman is likely in Ten Hag’s plans for Saturday. However, this could be dependant on the speed of Antony’s recovery.

Combined Eleven

  1. Goalkeeper – David de Gea – Having won the golden glove this season, the Spaniard takes the pick over Ederson. His shot stopping is second to none.
  2. Right Back – Kyle Walker – Although Wan-Bissaka has been good for United, Walker is on another level.
  3. Centre Back – Raphael Varane – John Stones was a solid contender, but Varane’s quality in defending sets him apart.
  4. Centre Back – Ruben Dias – His leadership and organisation ensures his pick.
  5. Left Back – Nathan Ake – A tough choice between the Dutch defender and Shaw, but the former Bournemouth defender just edges it due to his quality performances this season.
  6. Defensive Midfielder – Rodri – Casemiro could easily have gone into this team, but on form, Rodri has been better this season.
  7. Centre Midfield – Bruno Fernandes – Gundogan is a brilliant midfielder, but Fernandes provides ridiculous vision and quality on the ball that’s led to the Portuguese creating the most big chances this season.
  8. Centre Midfield – Kevin de Bruyne – Arguably the best midfielder in the world; so, no real shock.
  9. Left Winger – Marcus Rashford – Grealish has had a great season, particularly in the second half, but Rashford has been instrumental in carrying United this season.
  10. Striker – Erling Haaland – No debate.
  11. Right Winger – Bernardo Silva – Sancho has been good recently, but Silva’s quality and consistency sets him apart.

Form

Ten Hag’s United side head into the final on good form winning four out of their last five games. However, such victories tend to have come at home this season and so the trip to Wembley could pose difficulties.

Guardiola’s City side approach the final in slightly weaker form, losing to Brentford and drawing to Brighton in their last two games. Despite this, it’d be foolish to ignore the fact that City had already wrapped up the title by this point and were resting players.

Route to the final

Manchester United:

  • Third round – The Red Devils faced Merseyside Everton at Old Trafford. A stellar Rashford performance saw United safely through to the fourth round in a 3-1 win.
  • Fourth round – Ten Hag was up for the test against ex United player Paul Ince’s Reading. United won 3-1 in a comfortable home outing. The only negative was Eriksen’s long term injury due to Andy Carroll’s shocking tackle.
  • Fifth round – A classic Old Trafford comeback was enough for United to overturn a 1-0 deficit to win 3-1 in the dying embers of the game.
  • Quarter finals – Another home draw saw United scrape through against Fulham in a 3-1 win. The West London side where comfortably better until a couple minutes of madness saw Willian, Aleksandar Mitrovic and Marco Silva sent off. This was enough to change the momentum of the game and eventually United scored the goals needed to see off Fulham.
  • Semi finals – A tough and tight affair which United were only able to creep through on penalties after the sides couldn’t be separated in a 0-0 battle throughout the 120 minutes.

Manchester City:

  • Third round – A tough draw against Chelsea was contrasted by the smooth performance which saw the Citizens comfortable 4-0 victors at the Etihad.
  • Fourth round – Similarly, City were handed the toughest of draws facing league leaders Arsenal at home. Guardiola’s men were able to snatch a 1-0 victory thanks to a crucial Nathan Ake finish.
  • Fifth round – City headed to Ashton Gate to face Bristol City. A Phil Foden brace combined with De Bruyne’s goal secured City a 3-0 victory.
  • Quarter final – Ex player Vincent Kompany headed back to the Etihad for the first time since leaving City, leading his Burnley side against the Champions. However, City proved far too strong, inflicting a 6-0 drubbing despite the inspiring first half performance from the Clarets.
  • Semi final – In expected fashion, City comfortably beat Sheffield United 3-0 to go through to the FA Cup final.