Football Association reveal engraving of FA Cup trophy has already started ahead of Man City vs Man United final

The process to engrave the FA Cup with the winners of this year’s tournament has already started, days before Manchester City and Manchester United go head-to-head.

The two Manchester giants clash at Wembley Stadium on Saturday afternoon, with Pep Guardiola and his players looking to put themselves within just one win of a historic treble this season after claiming the Premier League title this month.

City fended off the challenge of Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal in the end, claiming their third Premier League trophy in the last three seasons, and their fifth English top-flight crown in the last six years.

Erik ten Hag’s Manchester United pose the latest threat however, with the Old Trafford side looking to secure their second piece of silverware of the season after winning the Carabao Cup earlier in the campaign.

Ahead of the much-anticipated Manchester derby final this weekend, the Football Association have this week announced that the process to engrave the name of the winning team in this year’s competition has already begun.

The trophy has been partially engraved with the word ‘Manchester’, as the FA Cup recognises and celebrates the first ever final between City and United.

The Football Association confirmed that the competition’s official trophy and silverware provider, Thomas Lyte, are responsible for etching the winning club’s name into history each season.

The word ‘Manchester’ will be on the FA Cup trophy by the time the winners have hoisted it aloft at Wembley Stadium on Saturday afternoon, which will break the tradition of the winners’ name being engraved in the days and months following the Final.

Kevin Baker, CEO of Thomas Lyte, told the FA as part of their official statement, “We regularly welcome the Emirates FA Cup trophy into our fine silver workshops at Thomas Lyte for engraving, repairs, and restoration.

“This iconic symbol of football excellence holds a special place in the hearts of fans and players, and it is our responsibility to ensure its impeccable presentation and preservation.”

He continued, “The Emirates FA Cup team approached us, as the official makers and custodians of the trophy, with an extraordinary request. Recognising the rarity of the two clubs sharing such similar names, they asked us to engrave the word “Manchester” on the trophy before the momentous showdown. 

“This request is unprecedented and a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Engraving the trophy with the name of the city that would eventually win the title, even before the final match, is a remarkable gesture. Each stroke of the hand engraving tools symbolised the historical significance and immense anticipation surrounding this fiercely contested Manchester derby.”

Manchester City take on Manchester United in the Emirates FA Cup final on Saturday 3 June, with kick-off scheduled for 15:00 BST at Wembley Stadium, London.