The two Manchester rivals will move their derby on Saturday (9:00 am) to London in the English Cup final, a prize with a very different flavor for ‘Citizens’ and ‘Red Devils’.
For City, this trophy would be the second of the seasonand would allow Pep Guardiola’s men to achieve a new Premier League-Cup double, while for their rivals it represents your last chance to participate in European competitions the next season.
The 90,000 spectators at Wembley, temple of English football which a week later will host the Champions League final, will witness a new episode in one of the strongest rivalries in the country.
Both teams They already met on this same stage last year, with victory for Manchester City by 2-1, which once again starts this edition as favorite.
After having managed to win four consecutive championships for the first time, The ‘Citizens’ now seek to be the first team to achieve the double two consecutive yearsa new page for a complete record book.
“If history gives us the opportunity to achieve something unprecedented, let’s try it. Maybe it’s an extra motivation for the players. I haven’t talked to you about that specifically. Playing simply for the trophy is enough,” Pep Guardiola declared on Friday.
The match Newcastle and Chelsea will also follow, since United’s defeat would allow for the ‘Blues’ to participate in the next edition of the Europa League and for the ‘Magpies’ to participate in the Conference League.
On the contrary, The victory of the ‘Red Devils’ would place them in the group stage of the Europa Leaguea last option to compete in continental competition after being left out of the European positions in the Premier League.
Ultimatum for Ten Hag
The match is also presented as the umpteenth ultimatum to Dutch coach Erik ten Hag. “I have nothing to say,” the coach laughed on Thursday when asked about his possible dismissal in case of defeat. “I focus on the job I have to do, that is, win the game on Saturday.”
The new minority shareholder, Ineos, led by Jim Ratcliffe must determine if the decline of the English club is a consequence of Ten Hag’s management. or if the Dutchman still has time at Old Trafford.
A good first step towards the immediate future of the Mancunian club It would be beating their neighbors for the first time this seasonafter the two defeats in the championship by 3-0 and 3-1.
Of the last 5 editions of the FA Cup, Manchester City was champion in 2 (2023, 2019) while Manchester United won it for the last time in 2016.
Most successful clubs in the English Cup (FA Cup):
1. Arsenal (14 titles)
2. Manchester United (12 titles)
3. Chelsea, Liverpool, Tottenham (8 titles)
6. Manchester City, Aston Villa (7 titles)
