Two matches. That’s all standing between Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City and history. If the team manages to win both the FA Cup and UEFA Champions League final, they will become the tenth team to have won a treble in Europe. However, their first challenge will be against their city rivals Manchester United for the FA Cup title.
Despite being underdogs, United have more often than not raised their standard for a game against City. The two clubs’ last meeting ended in a 2-1 win for the Red Devils; however, since the victory City have been a completely different squad blowing away everyone in their way.
However, the beauty of a one-off final is that sometimes a single event can decide the game’s fortunes, which ensures that the underdogs (in this case, Manchester United) have a better chance of scripting a miracle.
So, here are the things to look forward to before the FA Cup final.
Erling Haaland’s hit-or-miss form in FA Cup
Erling Haaland has broken records left, right and centre this season, displaying some of the most brutal goalscoring displays seen in recent times. However, despite this, the FA Cup has been a different case for the talented Norwegian.
In the three games that he has played, Haaland has scored in one, and although that was a hattrick, the evidence is there that he can be stopped if the opposition is at the top of the game for the entire game. Of course, that is easier said than done, and if United need to replicate their win from January, then the defence will have a more critical role than the attack to make it happen.
The climax of the 2022-23 #EmiratesFACup season is almost upon us 🤩
Who will be the hero of the Final?
🎨 @chrcordeiro pic.twitter.com/6HIfcWMyT5
— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) June 2, 2023
Manchester City vs Manchester United head-to-head FA Cup record
In the tournament’s history, the two teams have faced each other eight times. Out of these, United have won five times, while City have claimed bragging rights on three occasions. In the current century, the teams have faced three times, with United winning on every occasion.
Their last meeting came in 2012, but a lot of things have changed since then. City are now the outright dominant team in the region. However, in terms of the FA Cup, both teams have one title to their name.
These records will give encouragement to Erik Ten Hag, who will be looking to play the game on the defence and try to use their electric counterattack to catch City on the break.
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Manchester United FA Cup records
This is the 21st FA Cup final that Manchester United will play. This makes them the team with the joint-most appearances in the final, along with Arsenal. And while they have won the competition 12 times, the second-most by any team, they have also lost eight times, the joint-most by any team. Another record that the Red Devils are chasing is for the first time in their history to win both domestic competitions in a single season. They won the EFL Cup by beating Newcastle United earlier in the season.
Manchester City FA Cup records
Meanwhile, Manchester City are chasing a record of their own to win the first European treble in their history. This will be an added motivation for United as well, who are the only Premier League team to do so, making them more resilient to safeguard their record.
In addition, City have not conceded a single goal in the FA Cup, and if they manage to keep a clean sheet, then they will become the third side after Preston North End (1889) and Bury (1903) to do so. City’s star player Kevin de Bruyne could also become only the second player after Bobby Johnstone to score in two different FA Cup finals if he scores against United.