All eyes will be on Wembley this Saturday, as Manchester City lock horns with Manchester United in the Emirates FA Cup final for the second consecutive season.
Pep Guardiola’s City, who edged last year’s showpiece at the national stadium by winning 2-1, will be the favourites, having claimed a record fourth consecutive Premier League title on Sunday.
1. Historic Rivalry
This final is a repeat of last year’s showdown, making it only the second time in FA Cup history that the same teams have contested the final in consecutive years, the first being Blackburn Rovers vs Queen’s Park in the 1880s.
2. City’s Dominance
City, having secured their fourth straight Premier League title, come into the final as favorites. They won both league fixtures against United this season with a combined score of 6-1.
3. FA Cup Double Opportunity
City could achieve their third league and FA Cup double, an achievement matched only by United and Arsenal. If successful, they will be the first team to do it in back-to-back seasons.
4. United’s Struggle for Silverware
United, aiming for their 13th FA Cup title, have only won the trophy once in their last five final appearances. They last lifted it in 2016.
5. United’s Recent Form Against City
United have lost six of their last seven matches against City, including the last three consecutively. They risk losing four in a row to City for the first time since 2014.
6. Key Player Battles
City’s Phil Foden and United’s Bruno Fernandes are crucial figures. Foden has been involved in 10 goals in his last nine games and has a strong scoring record against United. Fernandes, having scored in last year’s final, seeks to join the elite list of United players with goals in multiple finals.
7. Defensive Concerns for United
United’s defence has been porous, conceding 84 goals across competitions this season. They last conceded more in 1963-64. Raphael Varane’s recent return is a boost, but there are doubts over Luke Shaw, Victor Lindelof, and Harry Maguire.
8. City’s FA Cup Winning Streak
City are on an 11-match winning streak in the FA Cup, one of the longest in the competition’s history. They aim to extend this impressive run at Wembley.
9. Guardiola vs Ten Hag
This final marks the second straight showdown between managers Pep Guardiola and Erik ten Hag in the FA Cup final, a first in modern history for league managers.
10. European Stakes
A win for United secures them a spot in the Europa League group stage, displacing Chelsea to the Conference League. If City win, United would miss out on European competition for the first time since the 2014/15 season.
Match Details
Competition: FA Cup Final
Teams: Manchester United vs Manchester City
Venue: Wembley Stadium, London
Date: Saturday, May 25, 2024
Referee: Andrew Madley