The FA Cup final for the 2022-2023 season takes place on Saturday. As Manchester City vs Manchester United comes into play at Wembley Stadium.
Regardless of the competition, the Manchester rivals don’t go easy on each other. They usually face each other with a high level of winning spirit.
Erik ten Hag (2-1) and Pep Guardiola (6-3) both won at their homes in the Premier League this season. As a result, it’s going to be a long shot for both teams on Saturday.
Manchester United have already won the Carabao Cup this season. Therefore, the Red Devils would be looking forward to winning one more trophy this campaign.
At the same time, Manchester City are looking forward to winning a treble this season. They have already won the 2022-2023 Premier League title.
Erik ten Hag’s troops have already won at Wembley Stadium this campaign. As a result, they won’t go easy on the Citizens on Saturday.
Amazingly, it’s the first time in the competition’s history to witness Manchester Derby in the final. So, it would be an interesting 90 minutes.
Manchester United have once lifted the FA Cup, the Premier League, and the UEFA Champions League in a single season. Of course, Guardiola wants to achieve the same feat.
The FA Cup final actually means many things to Manchester City. It’s Pep Guardiola’s first final in four campaigns. Obviously, the Citizens will do everything to lift the trophy on Saturday.
Performance-wise, Manchester City are more balanced than Manchester United. As a result, it may be a long shot for the Red Devils at Wembley Stadium.
Despite the fact that the Citizens will be facing Inter Milan in the UEFA Champions League final. They won’t to hold back against Erik ten Hag’s men.
However, the Red Devils are most likely to bet on Marcus Rashford, Casemiro, and Bruno Fernandes. These players can frustrate the Citizens on Saturday.
At the same time, Pep Guardiola may build his frontline around Erling Haaland. And his midfield around Kevin De Bruyne.
The Norwegian goal-machine has already registered a hat-trick (3 goals) against United in the Premier League. So, he has the ability to frustrate the Red Devils.
FA Cup Final: Manchester City vs Manchester United team news
Pep Guardiola doesn’t literally have any injury issues ahead of the match at Wembley Stadium on Saturday. He has a full squad to face the Red Devils.
Manchester City missed many first-team players in their last Premier League game against Brentford. However, they have good news ahead of the final.
Kevin De Bruyne is now back in training, and he’s available for the showdown on Saturday. Also, Jack Grealish and Manuel Akanji are available.
In addition, Ruben Dias missed the Bees clash in the league. Meanwhile, he’s also back in training, gathering capacity to face the Red Devils.
Manchester City don’t have any injured or sidelined players. All the first-team players are available and ready to dazzle at Wembley Stadium.
On the contrary, Erik ten Hag will be missing some important players. As a result, he would want to be very tactical against Manchester City.
Anthony Martial is out of the final on Saturday as a result of a thigh injury. He played just 24 minutes in their last match against Fulham.
As a result, Manchester United are most likely to start Marcus Rashford as a striker. Because Erik ten Hag may not start Wout Weghorst.
Also, Lisandro MartÃnez is still unavailable because of a leg injury. It’s such a severe injury, and he’s most likely to miss the preseason for the Red Devils.
Regardless, the Dutch gaffer has Raphael Varane and Victor Lindelof to occupy the defensive line. They have been great in the absence of the Argentine centre-back.
Donny Van de Beek is also unavailable as a result of a knee injury. The Dutch midfielder has been really unfortunate at Manchester United.
Marcel Sabitzer is expected to miss his last game for the Red Devils. He’s currently battling with a knee injury, which means he won’t be able to face the Citizens on Saturday.
Surprisingly, Erik ten Hag has confirmed that Antony is most likely to be available for the Emirate Cup final. Even though he may start from the bench.
Manchester City possible lineupsÂ
Ederson; Walker, Dias, Stones, Laporte; Gündoğan, Rodri, De Bruyne; Jack, Haaland, Silva.
Pep Guardiola is expected to go with his usual 4-3-3 formation on Saturday. He would want to dictate the team’s tempo from the midfield.
He intentionally excluded Kevin De Bruyne from the squad on Sunday. As a result, the Belgian will definitely start the final at Wembley.
Manchester United possible lineupsÂ
De Gea; Wan-bissaka, Varane, Lindelof, Shaw; Casemiro, Eriksen; Antony, Fernandes, Sancho; Rashford.
Obviously, Erik ten Hag rested some players against Fulham. Therefore, he’s most likely to use the above lineup against Pep Guardiola’s men.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka is expected to start because of Jack Grealish. The English right-back has been flawlessly defensive this campaign.
In the absence of Anthony Martial, Marcus Rashford will take on the No.9 position. While Casemiro dictates the team’s performance from the midfield.
FA Cup Final: Manchester City vs Manchester United predictionsÂ
Obviously, both teams are playing outside their comfort zones on Saturday. As a result, only the best performing team will be able to lift the 2022-2023 FA Cup.
The final is actually Pep Guardiola’s first in the competition in the past four seasons. Frankly, he’s expected to do everything to win over the Red Devils.
Lisandro MartÃnez will be unavailable on Saturday. Potential-wise, Lindelof and Varane may not be able to silence Erling Haaland.
Of course, Erik ten Hag is expected to use Aaron Wan-Bissaka to shut down Jack Grealish. However, he may have a hard time defending against Bernardo Silva.
Nevertheless, Manchester City vs Manchester United predictions may favor the Citizens. Because they are currently unstoppable in all competitions.
Pep Guardiola has defeated many big teams recently. The likes of Bayern Munich and Real Madrid were his victims in April, making him unstoppable.
The Citizens are expected to face Manchester United on Saturday with the mindset of winning a treble. So, they won’t hold back on their rivals at Wembley.
Despite the fact that Manchester City lost their last EPL game against Brentford. They have the ability to destroy and frustrate Erik ten Hag’s men.
Manchester City 3-1 Manchester UnitedÂ
Kick-off time
As regards the 2023 Emirate Cup final. Manchester City vs Manchester United kick-off at 15:00 BST on Saturday. The showdown will take place at Wembley Stadium.