Today, fans in Manchester are eagerly anticipating an exciting showdown between two football powerhouses as Manchester City and Manchester United face off in the FA Cup final at Wembley Stadium. This upcoming match is of great importance to United, as it might signify the end of Erik ten Hag’s tenure as their manager. There have been rumours in local media and online that Erik ten Hag will be fired, irrespective of the outcome of the match.
City aims to recreate their triumphant 2-1 victory from last year, which secured them an extraordinary treble of Premier League, FA Cup, and Champions League titles. This final also adds to the unique history of the FA Cup, as it marks only the third occasion where two teams have faced each other in consecutive finals.
The previous instances were when Blackburn Rovers played against Queen’s Park Rangers in 1884 and 1885. The team enters the match with a clear advantage. They completely outplayed United in both league matches this season, earning impressive wins of 3-0 at Old Trafford and 3-1 at home.
Interestingly, their dominance stretches back even further, as they have managed to secure victory against their neighbours in the last three league matches during the 1969-70 season. United, however, have a less impressive track record. In six of their last seven encounters with City in all competitions, they have unfortunately been unable to secure a victory.
Their most recent triumph against City occurred in 2022. They have suffered three consecutive losses, but their last streak against City came to an end in 2014. It is worth noting that, despite their recent difficulties against City in all competitions, United has a commendable track record in the FA Cup against their rivals. In five of their last seven FA Cup clashes, they have come out as winners.
However, it is worth noting that their two defeats occurred at Wembley – one in the 2011 semi-final and the other in last year’s final. City faces significant consequences.
If they were to win, it would be an impressive feat, as they would secure both the league title and FA Cup triumph for the third time in their history. Only Manchester United and Arsenal have achieved this feat, each accomplishing it three times.
However, City has the opportunity to leave an indelible mark on history by achieving the remarkable feat of winning back-to-back league and FA Cup doubles.
This afternoon’s FA Cup final is set to be an enthralling match, with Pep Guardiola’s City in exceptional form and United under the guidance of a manager in his final moments. The game is brimming with local pride and the possibility of creating history.
