For the second year in a row, it will be a Manchester derby in the FA Cup final, and for the second year in a row it will be newly crowned Premier League champions Manchester City, who enter as heavy favorites against Manchester United.
[ MORE: Manchester City vs Manchester United stats on FotMob.com ]
Man City won 2-1 last year, adding the second jewel to their treble crown and doing so against the last English treble winners and their biggest rivals. Fast forward a year and the gap between them only widens – City are champions for the fourth consecutive season and Man United finished 31 points behind them (14 last season). Given this reaction, Saturday’s final is perhaps Erik ten Hag’s last chance to convince the club’s new owners and management team that he is the right man for the job. Otherwise, United will not be able to qualify for any European competition next season; if the Red Devils win, they will play in the Europa League.
Facing any other opponent in the final, and Manchester City, who just celebrated English football history last weekend, could have performed 80 percent of their best and hoped that would be enough on the day. But, the chance to build on their recent derby dominance (6W-0D-1L in the last seven meetings)? This will be too good to pass up for Pep Guardiola’s team. Not only did they win down the stretch (they did a lot of that – 19W-4D-0L in their last 23 league games), but they were absolutely dominant, conceding just two goals in their last six games and scoring 20.
How to watch Manchester City vs Manchester United live, broadcast link and start time
Start: 10 a.m. ET, Saturday (May 25)
How to watch: ESPN+
Focus on Man City, team news
OUT: Ederson (face)
Focus on Man United, team news
OUT: Tyrell Malacia (knee), Luke Shaw (thigh), Mason Mount (undisclosed) | QUESTIONABLE: Harry Maguire (undisclosed), Victor Lindelof (thigh), Anthony Martial (groin)
