The 2024 FA Cup Final: Manchester City vs. Manchester United - A Clash of Titans

The stage is set for the FA Cup final and it’s a Manchester derby for the second time in as many years.

Should Manchester United win the FA Cup final it will be their 13th FA Cup title and Erik ten Hag’s second trophy during his time at the club, after the League Cup victory last season. In the build-up to the game, Ten Hag finds himself under huge pressure,

As the 2024 FA Cup Final approaches, football fans around the globe are bracing for an electrifying showdown between two of the Premier League's most storied clubs: Central to the focus of rivalry are two football clubs, Manchester City and Manchester United. The match is expected to feature on Saturday 25th of May, 2024 and with this match you can be assured it is going to be mouthwatering because these football giants are not strangers to each other and more so because of the fame and status of the highly placed football stars expected to grace the occasion. That is why it is high time to look at some background into this particular match and in order to do so let us focus on the historical preview and expectations.

Historical Context and Rivalry

Manchester City and Manchester United are two of the most heated rival clubs who play each other in the Manchester Derby, a derby famously known in English football. This derby is characterised by a rather rich history, fans’ feelings, as well as the desire of two dominant teams to allow themselves to capture the local and, moreover, the world football championship. Manchester United has over the years been considered a more successful club than its rival Manchester City; however, things have shifted in recent years with Manchester City team, especially with the coming of Pep Guardiola as the team’s manager.

Manchester United has twenty premiership titles, twelve FA cups, and three UEFA champions league cups. Manchester United has firmly established itself in the rank of world’s football giants thanks to the days of serial dominance in English Premier League especially in 1990s and in 2000s.

Manchester City on the other hand started the decade a mid-table side, but has since risen up the ranks and emerged a Champions League team. Currently occupying the English Premier league they have 7 league titles including consecutive titles in the last decade and 6 FA cups. The type of attractive possession-based football that had come to be identified with Guardiola has endeared the team to many and championship.

Head-to-Head: A Statistical Overview

Regarding face-to-face meetings, the matches between the two Manchester clubs are quite eventful.

Head-to-Head: A Statistical Overview

Even in most confrontation matches, Manchester City and Manchester United are known to have a very stiff confrontation record. As of their last encounter before the 2024 FA Cup Final, the statistics reveal a closely fought rivalry:As of their last encounter before the 2024 FA Cup Final, the statistics reveal a closely fought rivalry:

Manchester United Wins: 77

Manchester City Wins: 58

Draws: 54

In the FA Cup, the two teams have met on 10 occasions:

Manchester United Wins: 6

Manchester City Wins: 4

Such figures show that Manchester rivalry is a fierce one, and while over the years Manchester United has managed to come out victoriously a little more often than Manchester City. Nevertheless, due to recent performances of the City, one cannot fully rely on statistic results and records.

Key Players to Watch

The two teams are strong and look geared with a lot of talent and several big actors will determine the result of this final.

Manchester United:

Bruno Fernandes: Probably the most vital player for United, the Portuguese midfielder has a prescient, goal-scoring and sheer management within the center of the park. He is dangerous throughout the match, adding to his long-range ability his vision and threat from dead balls.

Marcus Rashford: Rashford speed, trickery and clinical nature have seen him become an important player at Old Trafford. As a direct running man and a clinical finisher, his switch will be vital.

Raphael Varane: The French defender has proved to be very useful in the team especially through his experience and calmness in the defensive line. His tactical awareness and capacity to make telling interventions will be important against the Citizens’ forwards.

Manchester City:

Kevin De Bruyne: The Belgian is the pillar of City’s midfield; a playmaker of Belgian origin. With peripheral vision, accurate shooting and shooting from the free zone he definitely deserves to be mentioned among the best football players at the moment.

Erling Haaland: The Norwegian forward has been on the rampage scoring goals here and there. In addition to this, when attacking, his physical build, pace and clinical abilities make him a menace to any team’s backline.

Ruben Dias: The Portuguese center back, although he hasn’t gotten a goal or assist to his name he has been a pillar for City in defense. His powers of leadership, defensive thinking and his capacity to marshal the rear-guard will be very useful in order to check United’s striking force.

Tactical Battle

Pep Guardiola and Erik ten Hag will face off for an interesting tactical tussle this season.

Pep Guardiola's Approach:

It is believed that Guardiola will maintain the ‘4-3-3’ formation and come up with a strategy to retain possession and dominate the central midfield. Backup full-back will also be seen City’s regular fullbacks as inverted wing backs, whose role will be to get width in the attacking third and complement the midfield so that De Bruyne,Phil Foden and Bernardo Silva can have space to create.

Erik ten Hag's Approach:

Backed by his reputation for being a tactical manager, Ten Hag may have to devise a 4-2-3-1 tactic with an emphasis on a compact defensive line and instantaneous counterattack. From that probability, it can be predicted that United will aim at utilizing City’s high press with the outlet speed of Rashford . Fernandes will certainly be crucial in this regard as the play-making force of United’s attacking force, while, Casemiro’s energy in the middle of the park will be instrumental in disrupting City’s flow.

Key Battles on the Pitch

Several key battles on the pitch could determine the outcome of the final:Several key battles on the pitch could determine the outcome of the final:

1. De Bruyne vs. Casemiro: This style of play will pose a huge threat since De Bruyne will be involved in playing decisive actions such as key passes and chance creation. Casemiro has to do a special job to limit De Bruyne which will be very important for Manchester United.

2. Haaland vs. Varane: Hence Haaland is a detriment on the field with physical strength and great goal scoring prowess. Varane has excellent experience and an awesome defensive record which will be put to an intense test.

Conclusion

Manchester City welcomes Manchester United in the FA Cup final as both sides are expected to put up an entertaining spectacle, intense fight and awe-inspiring performances in the 2024 FA Cup final. As fans from around the world tune in to witness this spectacle, one thing is certain: This means that to football lovers, they will be privileged to witness football at its finest. This final has a little of all that makes football so fascinating; it’s Guardiola against Ten Hag, De Bruyne versus Fernandes or simply the Manchester derby in a final. With only seconds left to the Kick-off time, tension and the buildup increases further for what could be a historical FA Cup Final.