Manchester City take on arch-rivals Manchester United in the FA Cup final on Saturday.
City manager Pep Guardiola has again underlined his status as the best coach of his generation by guiding his side to a fifth Premier League title in six years and bringing them within two wins of a glorious Treble. But standing in his way at Wembley is Erik ten Hag, who has already guided United to a Carabao Cup triumph and a top-four finish.
Ten Hag, who worked alongside Guardiola at Bayern Munich for a spell, cannot match Guardiola’s success but his first season with United has been encouraging, with one trophy and Champions League qualification secured.
They have both beaten each other once this season - but, who will claim bragging rights in the FA Cup final? Here, the Mirror Football team give their predictions - and there's a pretty clear winner...
Andy Dunn
Manchester City 3-1 Manchester United
Premier League odds and betting tips
Pep Guardiola’s biggest challenge ahead of the FA Cup final - and the Champions League final - will be getting his players back in the zone. Since being confirmed as Premier League champions on May 20, Manchester City have had three matches but have not really been in work.
There has been a bit of partying, a bit of relaxing. It will not be easy for City’s machine to click back into gear but they should still have too much for Manchester United.
Erling Haaland has gone three matches without scoring, which represents a drought by his standards. Expect that to end at Wembley and City to run out relatively comfortable winners.
Erik ten Hag and Pep Guardiola go head-to-head on Saturday in the FA Cup final (Manchester City FC via Getty Images)John Cross
Manchester City 2- 1 Manchester United
This will undoubtedly be Manchester City’s hardest task if they are to win the Treble. United will be tougher opponents in the FA Cup final than Inter Milan in the Champions League final.
There is so much motivation from United’s side to stop Pep Guardiola’s champions from repeating Sir Alex Ferguson’s Treble of 1999. That will surely be United’s team talk ahead of Wembley and Erik ten Hag has already made such a huge point of talking publicly about the desire to stop City.
City are, in my mind, the best team in Europe. They have taken football to a whole new level and I struggle to make a case for any of United’s players getting into City’s starting line-up.
But it’s the first ever Manchester derby in an FA Cup final and the very fact that it will be so hard-fought, so competitive and with so much at stake does give United a chance despite City being so much better in every department. Having said all of that, I think it will be a terrific final - and City will win. But only just!
David McDonnell
Manchester City 2-1 Manchester United
I'm expecting a tight game, similar to the one between the two sides at Old Trafford back in January, which United edged 2-1 with a controversial goal from Bruno Fernandes. Erik ten Hag knows City will dominate possession, so United's best bet is to hit Pep Guardiola's side on the counter-attack, using the pace of Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho.
World Cup hero wants Man Utd move as doubts over Harry Maguire's future grow
Fernandes was switched to the right in the win over City and I'd expect him to start there again, with Sancho on the left and Marcus Rashford through the middle. Fred could come into midfield alongside Casemiro to give United more protection, but a lot depends on whether City quartet Kevin De Bruyne, Jack Grealish, Ruben Dias and Manuel Akanji are fit to start at Wembley.
Guardiola said all four are doubtful for Saturday and the City boss will not want to gamble if they are not ready and risk losing them for the Champions League final a week later.
That said, City have enough strength in depth to win and stay on course for the Treble, but United have a habit of upsetting the odds and have what it takes to spring a surprise.
Casemiro faces a huge challenge at Wembley (Offside via Getty Images)Mike Walters
Manchester City 1-2 Manchester United
All logic points to Manchester City clearing the penultimate hurdle of their bid for the Treble. The team who hit United for six last October has lost none of its firepower.
Erling Haaland, 52 goals and counting this season, still looks like the beast who cannot be tamed. Kevin De Bruyne can still pick a pass like Raffles the gentleman jewel thief could pick a lock.
Jack Grealish is now playing like a £100million footballer. And after five titles in six years, City simply look unstoppable, right? All logic says they will complete the Treble, right?
But since when has logic had anything to do with the FA Cup final? Logic didn't stop Sunderland upsetting Leeds 50 years ago, nor Wimbledon's Crazy Gang bullying Liverpool into submission in 1988, nor Wigan - heading for relegation - mugging City in the last minute of the 2013 final.
In Manchester derbies, Marcus Rashford has scored five goals and finished on the winning side six times in 13 starts. On your Marcus, get set, go...
Daniel Orme
Manchester City 2-0 Manchester United
The Red Devils will be doing all they can to halt their neighbours pursuit of a treble, but they will certainly find it tricky given their growing injury list. Lisandro Martinez, Marcel Sabitzer and Antony are all restricted to the sidelines and have been joined by Anthony Martial, who picked up a problem in the final day win over Fulham.
Whilst City’s standards appear to have dropped over recent weeks since lifting the Premier League title, Pep Guardiola will ensure they are fully focused on the task at hand. Erling Haaland being restored to the starting line-up will certainly help them in claiming the FA Cup.
The Norwegian caused chaos in City’s 6-3 win over their fierce rivals back in October with a hat-trick and two assists to his name. It won’t be as straightforward this time around though, with City also having the Champions League final occupying their mind.
Kevin De Bruyne and Erling Haaland have been in sensational form for Man City (Getty Images)Darren Wells
Manchester City 2-0 Manchester United
Despite Man City's brilliance, I've got a feeling Saturday's final could be cagier than most expect.
With the Premier League in the bag and all eyes on the Champions League, this is the fixture City might just take slightly for granted. With so much of the talk being about when City will do the Treble, the FA Cup final with their biggest rivals has almost gone under the radar a little. And this is United's season. They've nothing left to play for and will leave everything out on the Wembley pitch.
I'd anticipate Erik ten Hag will do his utmost to make life difficult for their opponents and stay in the game as long as possible.
That said, City should still be too strong for Ten Hag's side and I expect them to be lifting the trophy come the final whistle. It might not be a classic but I'm backing City in a 2-0 win.
Dan Marsh
Manchester City 3-1 Manchester United
As much as I'd like to go against the grain here, I just can't see past Manchester City. Pep Guardiola's side are on the brink of history and I guess, in some ways, the fact that it's Manchester United who could deny them the treble is fitting - but I wouldn't bank on them coming through.
City delivered at the business end of the season to retain the Premier League title and they should have too much for United to handle at Wembley (even with one eye on the Champions League final). Guardiola will be keen to get his side back in the winning groove after falling short against Brentford last weekend and I fancy City will do it in style.
Pep Guardiola holds the Premier League trophy (Getty Images)Sam Meade
Manchester City 2-0 Manchester United
Manchester City will dominate the ball, the game and almost certainly claim the second FA Cup of the Guardiola era.
The champions have not appeared to be weighed down by the possibility of the treble, which will no doubt be the major narrative in the build up. City's players are fresh after their week off and look to have peaked at the perfect time ahead of a mammoth fortnight.
Guardiola's side have already hammered United this term and, although they lost at Old Trafford, the Catalan will have learnt plenty from that reverse and, provided they can live with the threat on the counter, I don't see what problems the Red Devils can pose their rivals.
United will be buoyed by emotion as they look to protect their historic triumph on 1999, but City have often played without the need for emotion, such is their quality and they are likely to impose their style from minute one, which should be too much for their opponents.
Jacob Leeks
Manchester City 0-1 Manchester United
Huge derby clashes in finals usually end up being tight, cagey affairs and Saturday is likely to be no different. Erik ten Hag has already proven he can come up with a plan to stop Manchester City's superstar team.
The United boss will need a man of the match performance from goalkeeper David de Gea if his side is to stop Premier League golden boot winner Erling Haaland. While the Spaniard has endured a mixed season, he has come up with huge saves at big moments and could be in his element at Wembley.
City have been exposed in defence at times this campaign and United may be able to nick an early goal. If they can do that and keep their defence tight, then it will be the Red Devils who lift the FA Cup on Saturday.
David de Gea has endured a hit-and-miss season with United (Getty Images)Felix Keith
Manchester City 1-1 Manchester United (City win on penalties)
Conventional wisdom says that Manchester United have little chance of upsetting the behemoth that is Manchester City; bookmakers make them 3/1 outsiders to lift the trophy.
That feeling is created by City's relentless march to silverware in pursuit of an historic Treble. But there are a few factors which suggest Erik ten Hag's side can do it.
Erling Haaland has just one goal from his last six games for City which, by his sky-high standards, is a considerable dip. United won the last meeting between the two sides 2-1 in January, despite going behind to a full-strength City team. And their form is pretty good, with four straight wins signing off the Premier League campaign in some style, while City's B team ended with a 1-0 defeat by Brentford.
City's ludicrous squad depth rightly makes them favourites, but United's defence is a little undervalued and I don't think it will be a walkover. Wembley has brought plenty of drama during the recent round of play-offs, so that theme might continue.
Read more similar news:
Comments:
comments powered by Disqus
