FA Cup Final Preview: Manchester City vs Manchester United

For the second season in a row, the FA Cup final will be between two Manchester clubs when newly-crowned Premier League champions Manchester City take on Manchester United at Wembley.

This is just the second time in the storied history of the competition- and the first since 1885 - that the same two sides will contest the final in back-to-back years. 

Pep Guardiola’s side were the winners last year, sensationally taking the lead inside 13 seconds on their way to a 2-1 win. 

The Cityzens will look to begin that way this year as they attempt to secure a domestic double at the expense of their rivals, who are depending on winning this trophy to play in Europe next season.

The 2023/24 season has been terrible for Erik ten Hag’s side, as they finished the Premier League season in eighth position–their lowest-ever Premier League finish. 

With 60 points to their name, they ended the season 31 points worse off than City and, as it stands, will not play in Europe next season. 

However, if they defeat City in Wembley on May 25th, they could remedy what has been a terrible season and get a chance to play in the Europa League next season.

However, City will be desperate to win, not just to record local bragging rights, but to become the first English side to win back-to-back league and cup doubles.

With high motivation among both teams, fans are already making moves to get their hands on the FA Cup tickets to watch their team compete on Saturday.

But who will come out on top in this encounter? We look at the factors that will determine the winner.

Pre-Match Stats

Manchester City have scored 141 goals in all competitions this season.

They have conceded 52 goals in all competitions this season.

The Cityzens are unbeaten inside 90 minutes in their last 36 competitive games (W29, D7).

Man City midfielder Rodri is unbeaten in his last 74 competitive games (W58, D16).

Phil Foden has scored six times in his last four starts against United.

Pep Guardiola has beaten Manchester United 15 times as a manager (D3, L7). Only against Burnley (17) and Arsenal (20) has he won more in the dugout.

Manchester United have scored 86 goals in all competitions this season.

The Red Devils have lost 19 games and conceded 84 goals in all competitions this season. They last lost 20 in a campaign in 1973-74 (22) and last conceded more than 84 in 1963-64 (89).

United have won 12 FA Cup titles, but they have only won one since 2004. Saturday's FA Cup final will be the sixth meeting between Pep Guardiola and Erik ten Hag as respective City and Manchester United managers. 

The Spaniard has won four of the previous five meetings, while Ten Hag has one win.

United are looking to win the FA Cup for the 13th time, with only Arsenal (14) have ever won it more often. However, Ten Hag’s side have failed to win the trophy in four of their last five final appearances, with the exception coming in 2016 against Crystal Palace under Louis van Gaal (2-1).

United finished 8th in the Premier League this season, the lowest-ranked side to play in the FA Cup final since Arsenal beat Chelsea 2-1 in 2020. 

There have been six previous occasions of a side finishing 8th or lower facing that season’s champions in the showpiece—Aston Villa (10th) beat Manchester United 2-1 in 1957, but since then, such sides have lost all five finals by an aggregate score of 15-0.

Head-to-Head Record

Manchester City have had the upper hand in this fixture, winning six of the last seven head-to-head meetings with United in all competitions, including the last three. The last time they won four consecutively against them was between 2013 and 2014.

Road to the Final

Manchester City’s path to Wembley began in style, with the Cityzens beating Huddersfield 5-0 at the Etihad in January. Phil Foden was the star of the show with a brace, accompanied by an own-goal by Ben Jackson and further strikers from Julian Alvarez and Jeremy Doku.

After that, they narrowly beat Tottenham (1-0 away) in the fourth round to progress to the next round. Next was Luton Town, who they smashed 6-2 to set up a quarter-final with Newcastle United. 

Having already beaten them in the League Cup this season, the Magpies were hoping to beat them to a place in Wembley. However, Eddie Howe’s side couldn’t do a cup double over City, with a 2-0 win sufficient to secure a semi-final berth for City. 

From there, Pep Guardiola’s side narrowly won Chelsea in the semis to book their place in this final.

While Manchester City mainly faced Premier League opposition, Manchester United faced mostly non-top-flight teams, beginning with Wigan, whom they beat 2-0 in the third round. 

The Red Devils faced Newport County in the fourth round. And like most of their season, they struggled to defeat the League Two side, as they needed two late goals from Anthony and Rasmus Hojlund to secure a win after throwing away a two-goal lead.

After beating Newport, United beat Nottingham Forest 1-0 in the fifth round to secure a place in the sixth round, where they faced their biggest test–Liverpool. 

Given their form and United’s struggles, Jurgen Klopp’s side were the favourites to go through. However, Old Trafford proved too loud for the Reds, who were beaten 4-3 by their rivals in extra time.

After beating Liverpool, Coventry City stood in United’s way and their second FA Cup final in two years under Erik ten Hag. 

The Red Devils were determined to go the distance and began the game well, leading 3-0 just before the hour mark. 

However, a late capitulation saw United relinquish their three-goal lead, pushing the game to extra time and penalties. Luckily, their blushes were spared, and they won the game on penalties.

Match Preview

Having fought tough opponents on their way to this final in Wembley, Manchester City will be confident of overcoming their City rivals just as they did in this fixture last year. 

The Cityzens come into this tie in good form, too, as they have won their last seven games. 

Guradiola’s men are also unbeaten inside 90 minutes in a whopping 36 consecutive games dating back to mid-December (W29, D7), so they will be firm favourites to secure an eighth FA Cup crown.

However, United should be more confident about getting a result than the last time both sides met in the league, especially as their injury woes have eased. 

The Red Devils have welcomed back Raphael Varane, Bruno Fernandes, Lisandro Martinez and Marcus Rashford in recent weeks after a few weeks on the sidelines. 

There is a chance that things could be even better for Ten Hag, with Victor Lindelof and Harry Maguire likely to be involved in Wembley.

That said, United beat Newcastle United and Brighton & Hove Albion in their last two fixtures to end a difficult league campaign on a high. 

The Old Trafford side can end it even better if they win here, as they will qualify for European football next term should they emerge victorious against Pep Guardiola's side.

Key Battles

Manchester City have arguably the most complete team in the world, with all their players from back-to-front able to hurt Manchester United.

For example, Josko Gvardiol emerged at the tail end of the season as an attacking outlet for City, with the defender scoring goals and creating chances for fun. 

Keeping him and whoever Guardiola pairs with him on the left flank quiet will undoubtedly be a lot of work for Diogo Dalot or Aaron Wan Bissaka.

Away from their defence, City’s midfield is stoked with talent that United may struggle to cope with. Kevin de Bruyne, Phil Foden, Bernardo Silva and the invincible Rodri are players any team will struggle against, while Erling Haaland, despite his flaws, is a wrecking ball.

Therefore, Man United’s only chance at winning this is to take the chances when they get it. But the Red Devils have struggled to create chances for Rasmus Hojlund. 

Solving that problem will require getting talisman Bruno Fernandes involved for much of the game. Finally, Andre Onana has to be in his best shape to give his side a fighting chance against this excellent Man City side.