Manchester City and Manchester United will both embark on the 200-mile journey to England’s most iconic stadium today as they clash in the Emirates FA Cup final, with stakes higher than the trophy itself, as city bragging rights are on the line.
For the second consecutive season, Wembley Stadium’s hallowed turf is set to host a Manchester derby in the final of club football’s oldest competition. The Red Devils were defeated under the famous arch last summer, and a 2-1 victory gave the Cityzens momentum to match United’s renowned 25-year feat of winning the Treble. This year, with a victory, Pep Guardiola’s side would complete the domestic double for the third time in their history, matching another record achieved by their Manchester counterparts.
The relentless Manchester City enter the match on incredible form, as nine consecutive wins in the league was enough to beat Arsenal to the Premier League title last Sunday. However, it’s not been plain sailing in the blue-half of Manchester, as their dreams of back-to-back Trebles were crushed just last month, as they crashed out of the UEFA Champions League on penalties, against current eventual finalists, Real Madrid.
Embed from Getty ImagesIn the same vain, the other half of Manchester have had a difficult season in all aspects under Erik ten Hag, and with no clear vision – both on and off the pitch – they disgracefully whimpered out of the UEFA Champions League, finishing bottom of Group A, as they secured just one win in their six fixtures.
Domestically, although reaching the final of this prestigious tournament, they were below par as they finished eighth in the league, and may have to face the reality of not competing in a European competition through sporting means for just the second time in 142 years, should they be defeated by their noisy neighbours on Saturday.
After a poor season on all fronts for this historic club’s standards, this clash will reportedly be the Dutchman’s final game in charge of the Red Devils, regardless of the outcome, with Kieran McKenna being just one of the many managers linked to a move to Old Trafford following an impressive Championship promotion season with Ipswich Town.
The key players
In sky blue on Saturday, the undoubted man to watch in this clash is Phil Foden, who secured the Premier League Player of the Season award last weekend. The midfielder has cemented his name in an incredibly competitive side, with a staggering 46 goal contributions this term.
Embed from Getty ImagesThe academy graduate can play in a plethora of positions and roles, and has showcased his create flair and electricity in both the middle of the park, and down the touchline. On top of his overall ability, the 23 year-old is no stranger to big moments, and with a hat-trick against Aston Villa, and a brace in the Manchester derby, it would be no surprise if his heroics were repeated in front of the 90,000 on the edge of their seats at Wembley.
In the red corner, Bruno Fernandes may be Manchester United’s only hope of lifting silverware this weekend, which would be for the second time in Ten Hag’s short tenure. The Red Devils are undefeated with the Portuguese star in midfield this month, but there’s no coincidence that the two losses they suffered arrived whilst the club’s 2023/24 Player of the Year was sidelined with a wrist injury.
Embed from Getty ImagesThe midfielder has scored 15 goals in all competitions this season, and his eight league assists are double that of any other Manchester United player this campaign. Fernandes also has six goal involvements in his previous five games, including a crucial goal and assist which helped his side progress past Coventry City in the previous round of the cup.
What did the managers say?
Speaking to the press on Thursday afternoon, Erik ten Hag, who “came here to win trophies,” believes he and his side “earned the opportunity as a team and now we have to go for it.”
In response to his team being winless in the derby this season, the Dutchman deflected the blame from his team, and instead criticised VAR for a decision “no-one understood” that occurred in a 3-0 defeat at Old Trafford in October.
Pep Guardiola revealed that “it is an absolute privilege to be here with a chance to win this beautiful trophy once again.”
The two-time FA Cup winner then praised the competition, explaining that “winning this trophy in 2019 and 2023 were two of the best days I have had as a manager in football. This is a historic competition and it’s an honour to be involved. We will do absolutely everything we can to win this trophy again today and make our fans proud, I can promise you that.”
When does the match kick off?
The 2023/24 Emirates FA Cup final between Manchester United and Manchester City will kickoff in Europe’s largest currently-operating sporting ground, Wembley Stadium, at 15:00 BST on Saturday 25 May 2024.
How can I watch the 2023/24 FA Cup final?
The 2023/24 Emirates FA Cup final will be broadcast on both BBC One and ITV1 within the United Kingdom.
For viewers in all other countries and territories, a full list of broadcasters can be found courtesy of The FA by clicking this link.
FromTheSpot will also provide extensive coverage of the buildup and the match itself on FromTheSpot.co.uk and our X account.