FA Cup Final: Manchester City vs Manchester United: Preview, Prediction & Betting Tips

Following the conclusion of the Premier League season, Manchester City and Manchester United shift their focus to the FA Cup final at Wembley Stadium.

Date: 25/05/24

Kick-off time: 15:00

Venue: Wembley Stadium

It has been yet another successful campaign for Pep Guardiola and Man City, as they lifted the Premier League trophy for a record fourth year in a row. Another trophy is up for grabs, and if they are to be victorious it would be a seventh FA Cup title, and would mark two consecutive wins. To reach the final, City faced four Premier League sides after beating Championship Huddersfield 5-0 in the third round. A trip to Tottenham followed, in which they won 1-0, before eliminating Luton and Newcastle. They faced Chelsea in the semi-final at Wembley, beating them 1-0 thanks to a late Bernardo Silva goal.

Besides the motivation of winning a trophy, this game is Man United’s final chance to secure European football for next season. Despite two wins to end the season, they finished eighth, which was not enough to qualify for any European competition. However, if they were to win the FA Cup, they will book a place in the Europa League group stages. United’s FA Cup path included Wigan, Newport County, Nottingham Forest, Liverpool and Coventry, who they beat on penalties in the semi-final.

Erik Ten Hag’s side have struggled at both ends of the pitch, particularly in defence with so many injury absentees. In their last five games, they have conceded eight goals and have scored four. In all competitions, Bruno Fernandes and Rasmus Hojlund have scored 15 goals each. City, in contrast, are enjoying plenty of success in front of goal, scoring 20 in their last six, conceding just twice. Erling Haaland has delivered another incredible season, netting 38 times in total. The Premier League player of the year Phil Foden has also contributed 27 goals and 11 assists.

The two rivals have faced each other 11 times in all competitions since March 2020, and it is a fixture that has seen more success for Man City. They have won seven times to United’s three, whilst the points were shared in a goalless draw in the other meeting. The last time the visitors got one over their neighbours was in January of last season, in which they came from behind to take victory. Jack Grealish had opened the scoring in the second half, before goals from Bruno Fernandes and Marcus Rashford quickly turned it around. City won both league meetings this season, the first being a 3-0 win at Old Trafford. Haaland scored a brace whilst Foden added a third. The return fixture at the Etihad was also 3-1 in the hosts’ favour. This time Foden bagged a brace and Haaland netted the third after Rashford gave United the lead.

Man City

Ederson will miss out after sustaining a fractured eye socket in the game against Tottenham. City have a fully fit squad to choose from otherwise.

Man United

Harry Maguire is expected to return in time for the final, whilst Luke Shaw has suffered a setback with his thigh injury which leaves his status in doubt. Mason Mount’s availability is also to be determined.

Man City

In their last five games, Manchester City have been perfect, winning all of them. It has been an incredible stretch for Man City, as they asserted their dominance at the most crucial part of the season and eventually lifted the Premier League title. This run started with a tricky trip to relegation threatened Nottingham Forest, who put up a great fight, but could not keep the Champions out as City recorded a 2-0 victory away from home. Josko Gvardiol opened the scoring, and Erling Haaland doubled their advantage. They then took on Wolves at home. They were convincing 5-1 winners, with Haaland netting four goals, adding to his incredible tally. Alvarez scored the fifth whilst Hwang Hee-chan got the consolation for the visitors.

Another emphatic win followed, as they dispatched of Fulham 4-0 at Craven Cottage. They took a 1-0 lead into the break thanks to an impressive opener from Gvardiol. Their advantage was added to with a strike from Foden, another goal from Gvardiol and an Alvarez penalty.

An intriguing game took place in their next fixture, as they travelled to Tottenham. There was plenty of discussion surrounding Spurs’ motivation for the game, but City’s 2-0 win did not come easily, with the home side causing many problems. It was Haaland who netted twice with a tap-in and penalty to leave them one step away from the title. Heung-Min Son missed a huge chance late on to equalise before the game was put to bed. The trophy was secured on the final day with a 3-1 win over West Ham. A Foden double gave them a two-goal lead before a stunner from Mohammed Kudus halved the deficit. Rodri scored a third to put it to bed.

Man United

In their last five games, Manchester United have won two, lost two and drawn one. It has been a rough stretch for United, which has seen them drop out of the European places. This run started with disappointing dropped points as they drew 1-1 at home to struggling Burnley. It was a fairly even game throughout, and Antony thought he scored the winner with 11 minutes remaining. The Clarets refused to lie down and were able to level it from the spot in the final few minutes.

They failed to respond to this setback, as they were embarrassingly crushed 4-0 away from home at Crystal Palace. The hosts went in front early, with a strike from Michael Olise, and this lead was doubled before half-time by Jean-Phillipe Mateta. They started the second just as they did the first, and added another through Tyrick Mitchell. Olise grabbed his second to complete the rout.

An important game for their European hopes followed, as title challengers and rivals Arsenal visited Old Trafford. They edged overall possession, but conceded the opener to Leandro Trossard in the 20th minute which they were unable to recover from. Their game in hand against Newcastle, however, ended in a narrow 3-2 victory which saw them go level on points with their opponents. Kobbie Mainoo broke the deadlock, but Anthony Gordon equalised shortly after the restart. Amad Diallo restored the lead before Rasmus Holjund added some insurance. Lewis Hall pulled another back in stoppage time with a sublime finish, but it was too late to mount a comeback. The final game of the Premier League season was a trip to Brighton, and though they won 2-0, they finished outside the top seven. Diogo Dalot and Hojlund were on the scoresheet.

A trophy is on the line and we expect Pep Guardiola and Man City to add another to the cabinet with a comfortable victory over their rivals. United won their last two games of the season, but their opponents will have too much for them on this occasion – Man City 3-0 Man United

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Man City vs Man United will be available to watch on both BBC One and ITV1.

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