FA Cup final preview | Manchester United vs Manchester City
The Wembley stage is ready and waiting for tomorrow’s FA Cup meeting with Manchester United and their neighbours from across the city.
United, 12 times winners of the legendary competition, last tasted success in 2016 with a 2-1 victory against Crystal Palace.
Manchester City are seven times winners and aim to go back-to-back in London, having sealed bragging rights in last year’s 2-1 showpiece.
For Erik ten Hag’s United, success offers an opportunity to end a traumatic season in style, with a cloud of uncertainty lingering over the head of the manager.
Team news ahead of the final
Ten Hag advised the media of the possible inclusion of Mason Mount, Victor Lindelof, and Anthony Martial during mandatory exchanges on Thursday.
Harry Maguire has been ruled out, with the defender failing to recover from his current issue. Responding to questions regarding his fitness despite his inclusion in Gareth Southgate’s England squad, the Dutchman advised reporters. “It didn’t heal as we expected.”
For City, Ederson is the only obvious omission. The Brazilian has been ruled out with a fractured eye socket, with Stefan Ortega set to start between the posts.
The stats behind the fixture
The Reds have won five of their last seven FA Cup meetings with the Blues. However, both defeats came at Wembley in 2011’s semi-final and last year’s heartbreaking final.
Having endured home and away losses during the Premier League campaign, United will want to avoid a third defeat against Pep Guardiola’s outfit tomorrow. The last time City accomplished that was during the 1969/70 season.
Remarkably, tomorrow will be only the second time an FA Cup final has dished up the same teams in consecutive showpieces. Queens Park faced off against Blackburn Rovers in 1884 and 1885.
Rovers won the first fixture 2-1 and the second by two goals to nil. Let’s hope we are not looking at a similar scenario.
When does the action get underway
The final is set to get underway at 15:00 BST in the iconic Wembley setting.
BBC and ITV have the television rights and will air a pre and post-match schedule for those not in attendance.
İlkay Gündoğan made FA Cup final history last season when he opened the scoring after 12 seconds.
United supporters across the globe will be praying for a turn of fortunes when Andrew Madley signals for the start of proceedings.
Up the Reds!
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