Will United or City win the first historic all Manchester final?

The FA Cup final between Manchester City and Manchester United is poised to be an enthralling encounter, with both teams aiming to etch their names in footballing history.

Remarkably, it’s the first time the two sides have locked horns in the FA Cup final.

For Manchester City, the stakes couldn’t be higher, as they strive to keep their treble dreams alive by securing another piece of silverware.

On the other hand, Manchester United is determined to halt their rivals’ march towards glory while claiming a major trophy for themselves.

With Wembley Stadium set to witness this epic Manchester derby, fans can expect a showdown that transcends beyond mere bragging rights.

Who will win the all-Manchester FA Cup Final?

Manchester City’s Dominance

Having already clinched the Premier League title, Manchester City has their sights firmly set on a remarkable treble.

Pep Guardiola’s side will be looking to add the FA Cup to their illustrious campaign, alongside their quest for European glory in the Champions League.

If they succeed, City will emulate their rivals United’s feat from the 1998/99 season.

With an impressive squad depth and the return of key players like Kevin De Bruyne, Jack Grealish, and Ruben Dias, City appears to have a full contingent to choose from, including their cup goalkeeper Stefan Ortega.

Manchester United’s Resurgence

Under the guidance of the revered Eric Ten Hag, Manchester United has undergone a remarkable resurgence this season.

With a blend of youthful exuberance and experienced campaigners, the Red Devils have displayed resilience and attacking prowess.

The lethal partnership between Bruno Fernandes and Marcus Rashford has struck fear into the hearts of opponents, while the towering presence of Luke Shaw and Martinez in defence has solidified United’s backline.

The steel of Casimero has bolstered United’s midfield and re-energised a side needing a boost.

Having overcome several challenges on their path to the final, Manchester United will be brimming with confidence and eager to secure a trophy against their most bitter rivals.

Haaland’s Revenge?

Erling Haaland, Manchester City’s prolific striker, has a personal score to settle with Manchester United.

The Norwegian sensation, who delivered a remarkable hat-trick against United earlier in the season, aims to avenge their defeat in the reverse fixture.

Haaland’s hunger to succeed and increase his goal tally for the season will undoubtedly fuel City’s attacking prowess, making him a formidable threat to United’s defence.

Injury Concerns

Both teams have had injury and fitness concerns leading up to the final.

Manchester City’s Manuel Akanji, Kevin De Bruyne, and Jack Grealish missed their last Premier League game. Guardiola has however confirmed today that all will be available.

Meanwhile, Manchester United have a few missing, with Anthony, Martinez and Christian Eriksen, providing some questions for Eric Ten Haag.

Manchester United’s Determination

Manchester United heads into the FA Cup final having already secured Champions League qualification and won the Carabao Cup.

United can cap off an impressive campaign by adding another trophy to their collection and preventing City from achieving a historic treble.

The squad, under the leadership of Eric Ten Hag, has shown resilience and determination, making them a formidable force in their quest for glory.

Historic Rivalry

The Manchester Derby is one of the most fiercely contested rivalries in football, steeped in history and fueled by the passion of the fans.

The clubs’ meeting at the national stadium in the semi-finals of the FA Cup in April 2011, which City won 1-0 on their way to scooping, was marred by violent scenes around the stadium with 34 arrests being made.

This final serves as a stage where the battle for Manchester supremacy will be fought tooth and nail. With bragging rights and a major trophy at stake, the players will leave no stone unturned to emerge victorious.

The sheer intensity of this rivalry adds an extra layer of excitement and drama to an already enticing final.

Travel Advice

The final has been marred by travel disruptions, causing headaches for fans planning to attend the historic clash.

The Aslef and RMT unions, representing train drivers, have announced strike action, resulting in the cancellation of direct trains between Manchester and London on Saturday.

To mitigate the impact of the disrupted train services, both clubs, along with the FA, have arranged for extra coaches.

The FA has secured 120 coaches, with 60 allocated to each club, in an effort to compensate for the loss of train travel.

However, concerns have been raised regarding potential delays on main routes to London and the mingling of rival fans at service stations.

Fan groups have voiced their worries about the situation, prompting the issuance of official travel advice to ensure a smooth journey for all supporters.

According to the Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) website, fans traveling by coach or car are advised to take different routes and use different service stations during their journeys. Manchester City fans are encouraged to use the M62/M1, M6/M1, or M6 and M6 Toll/M1 routes.

United supporters, on the other hand, are advised to use the M6/42/M40 route.

TfGM has also provided a list of allocated motorway service stations for each set of fans.

For City fans, the designated service stations include Lymm, Sandbach, Stafford, Watford Gap, and London Gateway.

United fans have been allocated Knutsford, Keele, Hilton, Warwick, and Beaconsfield as their service stations.

TfGM emphasizes the importance of planning journeys well in advance, allowing for additional travel time, and carefully checking the road network due to the expected congestion on traditional routes to Wembley.

It is worth noting that the TfGM advises against travelling to the game without an official match ticket.

To facilitate the departure of official coaches, Manchester United fans are instructed to gather at the AJ Bell Stadium in Salford, while City supporters will depart from the Metrolink park and ride car parks in East Didsbury and Radcliffe.

This arrangement has been made necessary due to a Coldplay concert taking place at the Etihad Stadium on the same day.

In light of these travel challenges, fans are encouraged to stay informed, follow official guidance, and plan their journeys accordingly.

Despite the disruptions, the FA Cup final promises to be a historic and memorable occasion, where supporters from both clubs can come together to celebrate the spirit of football.