FA Cup Final Preview: Manchester City vs Manchester United
The FA Cup final is set to be a thrilling clash between two of the biggest rivals in English football, Manchester City and Manchester United. The game will take place at Wembley Stadium on Saturday, June 3rd, at 15:00 GMT. Here is everything you need to know ahead of the match.
Team News
Both teams have some injury concerns ahead of the final, with some key players doubtful or ruled out.
Manchester City
Jack Grealish, Manuel Akanji and Ruben Dias will all have to be assessed before this game after they missed the loss against Brentford owing to injuries. Kevin De Bruyne likewise did not play against the Bees, but should be fit enough to return to the starting lineup here.
City are likely to line up in a 3-4-2-1 formation, with Ederson in goal, Akanji, Dias and Nathan Ake in defence, Rodri and Ilkay Gundogan in midfield, Bernardo Silva and De Bruyne as the attacking midfielders, and Erling Haaland as the lone striker.
Manchester United
Donny van de Beek, Lisandro Martinez, Marcel Sabitzer and Tom Heaton all remain sidelined with injury. Anthony Martial has been ruled out with a hamstring injury. Antony was stretchered off with an ankle injury against Chelsea last week, so will have to be assessed before this game.
United are expected to play in a 4-2-3-1 formation, with David de Gea in goal, Luke Shaw, Harry Maguire, Raphael Varane and Aaron Wan-Bissaka in defence, Christian Eriksen and Casemiro in midfield, Bruno Fernandes as the number 10, Jadon Sancho and Marcus Rashford on the wings, and Mason Greenwood as the centre-forward.
More Background
Manchester City come into this game winless in their last two, though those games came after they had already won the Premier League. Pep Guardiola’s side are yet to concede a goal in the FA Cup this season and have scored 17 goals in their five games. City have lost three of their last four trips to Wembley in the FA Cup, all coming in semi-finals, winning the competition last in 2019.
Manchester United secured third place in the Premier League after winning their last four games in a row, in the lead up to this game. Except for the semi-final, which they won on penalties against Brighton, Erik ten Hag’s side have won all of their other four FA Cup matches this season by a 3-1 scoreline. United have already won silverware at Wembley this season when they won the League Cup in February. They have won only two of their last five finals in the FA Cup, winning the competition last in 2016.
There will of course be added pressure given it’s a Manchester derby, with City looking to complete a treble this season and United looking to stop them, as well as win a domestic cup double. However, with the Champions League final next weekend for the Citizens, the Red Devils may take advantage to win here.
Prediction
This is a tough one to call, as both teams have quality players and managers who know how to win trophies. City have been dominant this season and have a slight edge over United in terms of head-to-head record. However, United have shown resilience and determination under Ten Hag and have a knack for scoring late goals. The game could go either way, but we think it will be a close one that will be decided by a single goal.
Comments
Post a Comment