Match Preview: Manchester City vs Manchester United (FA Cup Final)

It’s time for the first ever Manchester derby in an FA Cup final, as Manchester City take on local rivals Manchester United at Wembley Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

Manchester represents a city of people infatuated by the beautiful game, divided by colour, but united through a shared goal on Saturday afternoon – lifting the Emirates FA Cup trophy to inflict heartbreak on their city rivals.

Vincent Kompany, Wayne Rooney, and Mario Balotelli claim some of the most iconic Manchester derby moments in recent memory, but the match-winner this weekend will certainly cement himself alongside those famous names.

Manchester has seen a barrage of success through these two clubs, with the blue half enjoying the more recent triumphs, while United continue to endure a period of trials and tribulations in an underwhelming era for the club.

Manchester City – once deemed as the “noisy neighbours” – have merely swept aside their bitter rivals over the course of the last decade, with the most-recent Premier League season being a 10^th consecutive league finish above their counterparts.

No accomplishment will be sweeter for the blues though than eclipsing Manchester United’s greatest achievement – something which a win on Saturday will put them in pole position to acquire.

Still playing for the coveted treble, Manchester City have chance to make even more history, with United desperate to fend off this possibility and stop their rivals from replicating their glory in 1999.

In a season affected by alleged FFP breaches, Qatar disruptions, and even Eurovision, Manchester City still find themselves fighting on three fronts – something even Pep Guardiola might not have believed to be possible back in January.

The Catalan coach admitted he that he did not even recognise his team following a 4-2 victory over Tottenham, but the squad have more than rectified since, playing football at an unprecedented level, leapfrogging Arsenal in the Premier League while finding themselves playing two finals in the upcoming week.

However, the red half of Manchester will have something to say about this, and will be sure to halt any party atmosphere, playing for more than pride and sentiment, as the reds look to complete a domestic double this season.

Erik Ten Hag has raised the bar at Manchester United since arriving, winning the Carabao Cup and pushing the club into the top four – something City have done for the last 11 seasons straight.

The cliché states that form goes out of the window in derby matches, a statement which may hold true on Saturday, as the mental battle will likely outweigh the standards set on the field, with this being the first Manchester derby in cup final history.

City hold a slight advantage, with Pep Guardiola confirming he enters the game with a fully-fit squad, while Erik Ten Hag remains without defender Lisandro Martinez and striker Anthony Martial, while summer signing Antony is a major doubt for the contest.

Absences will be an excuse for neither manager, as the two Manchester clubs go head-to-head in a battle of pride and desire, as the clubs look to paint the city into their preferred colour in a battle for bragging rights.

Whether it’s a day for the blues or one that will leave Manchester City fans feeling such way, it’s a monumental match-up that lies ahead this Saturday, as City face United at the chance for domestic silverware.

When?

The 2023 Emirates FA Cup final between Manchester City and Manchester United will take place on Saturday 3^rd June, with kick-off scheduled for 15:00 BST.

Where?

The final will take place at Wembley Stadium in the country’s capital in London.

How to watch?

For viewers in the United Kingdom, you can view the match on ITV 1 or BBC One.

For viewers in the United States, you can view Saturday’s affair on ESPN+, with kick-off scheduled for 10:00 AM EST.

You can tap HERE for full global TV listings.