Manchester City and Manchester United are set to face off in the FA Cup final, with City looking to add another trophy to their collection and United hoping to salvage something from a disappointing season. City, fresh off their Premier League title win, are aiming for a Premier League-FA Cup double. United, on the other hand, finished eighth in the league and must win the final to secure a spot in Europe next season.
City have had a dominant record against United in recent years, winning six of their last seven meetings. However, Guardiola acknowledges that the final will be a completely different game from their previous encounters. Despite their recent success, Guardiola still respects United’s history and wants his team to make history of their own by achieving back-to-back doubles, something that has never been done before.
This FA Cup final is particularly significant as it marks the first time since 1885 that the same two clubs will contest the final in consecutive years. City defeated United 2-1 in last year’s final on their way to a historic treble. Guardiola sees this as an opportunity for his team to make even more history and use it as extra motivation.
For United, this season has been underwhelming, with an eighth-place finish and early exits from the Carabao Cup and Champions League. There are rumors swirling about manager Erik ten Hag’s future, and some believe that the final could be his last match in charge. The club’s owner, Sir Jim Ratcliffe, has already made changes to the boardroom and is reportedly considering a decision on Ten Hag. The outcome of the final could play a role in his future at the club.
Not only is the final important for City and United, but also for other teams vying for European spots. If United win, they will secure a place in the Europa League, while a loss would mean missing out on European competition next season. A City victory would elevate Chelsea to the Europa League and allow Newcastle to play in the Europa Conference League.
One player to watch in the final is Marcus Rashford. The United forward has had a challenging season, with his form dipping and being left out of the England squad for Euro 2024. However, Ten Hag believes that this setback can fuel Rashford’s motivation and expects him to perform well in the final.
Overall, the FA Cup final between Manchester City and Manchester United is poised to be a thrilling match with high stakes for both teams. City will be looking to make history, while United will be hoping to salvage their season with a trophy. The outcome of the final could also have implications for other teams in terms of European qualification.