For only the second time in the long history of the FA Cup, and for the first time since 1885, the same fixture will occur two years in a row as once again, Manchester City and Manchester United clash at Wembley. City took an incredible lead just 13 seconds into the game last season, and Pep Guardiola’s team secured the second success of a legendary treble. This victory was part of a sequence of six wins in the last seven Manchester derbies (1 draw).
Improving on this record could help City make history once again, as less than a week after securing a fourth consecutive and unprecedented Premier League title, Guardiola’s men could become the first English team to achieve the league-cup double. Only the boldest would write off a team that has been unbeaten in 90 minutes for 36 consecutive matches since mid-December (29 wins, 7 draws). Consequently, and not without some logic, City is the clear favorite to claim an eighth FA Cup victory.
Only Arsenal (14) and Manchester United (12) have a better record than this total, and increasing this number for United could be the only solution for manager Erik ten Hag to keep his position on the Old Trafford bench. The Dutchman is in grave danger after the Red Devils recorded their worst Premier League finish (eighth) and their lowest league position since 1989/90. Coincidentally or not, they had nonetheless won the FA Cup that season!
However, Manchester United’s love affair with this competition has cooled in recent seasons with only one success since 2004! It’s worth noting that the club has lost four of its last five finals, each time to other members of the historic “big six”. The trend is therefore alarming, with the added concern of conceding three goals in both the quarter-final and semi-final. The situation could be tricky for the Red Devils against their noisy neighbors.
Players to watch: Premier League Player of the Season, Phil Foden, has been unstoppable in recent months. His success in this fixture dates back even further, with six goals scored in his last four starts against United. The Red Devils could rely on their usual captain and dynamo, Bruno Fernandes. He scored from the penalty spot in last season’s final for one of his three goals against City (2 wins, 1 loss).
Hot stat: Pep Guardiola has beaten United 15 times as a manager (3 draws, 7 losses). He has only fared better against Burnley (17 wins) and Arsenal (20 wins).
Probable Lineups
Manchester City : Ortega; Walker, Akanji, Dias, Gvardiol; Rodri, Kovacic; Bernardo, De Bruyne, Foden; Haaland
Manchester United : Onana; Wan-Bissaka, Casemiro, Martinez, Dalot; Mainoo, Amrabat; Diallo, Fernandes, Garnacho; Hojlund
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