FA Cup final: Five battles Man Utd must win to beat Man City

The 2024 FA Cup final is set to ignite the footballing world as Manchester United and Manchester City prepare to renew their storied rivalry on the grandest stage of English football.

As the curtains rise at Wembley Stadium, the stage is set for an epic showdown between two footballing giants, each vying for glory and bragging rights in this historic clash.

This year’s final marks the 11th FA Cup meeting between Manchester United and Manchester City, with United having won six encounters and City four.

This rivalry gained a new chapter last year when the two clubs faced each other in a cup final for the first time in history.

As the football world braces itself for yet another thrilling clash between these two powerhouses, the spotlight falls on Manchester United's quest for victory against their cross-town rivals.

Here, Sports News Blitz’s Noah Ngcobo dives deep into the impending showdown, dissecting five crucial battles on the pitch that Manchester United must conquer to emerge triumphant against Manchester City.

Erik ten Hag vs Pep Guardiola

Erik ten Hag's arrival in Manchester in the summer of 2022 brought him into direct competition with Pep Guardiola for the first time in his career, despite their paths crossing earlier.

Between 2013 and 2015, Ten Hag coached Bayern Munich's reserve team while Guardiola was the head coach of Bayern's first team.

Guardiola had previously endorsed United's decision to hire Ten Hag, praising the former Ajax manager for his coaching abilities.

Ten Hag, in turn, credited Guardiola with significantly influencing his own coaching style.

However, Ten Hag's move to Manchester altered the dynamics between the two, turning mutual respect into fierce rivalry.

Ten Hag's introduction to the Manchester derby was a tough one, suffering a 6-3 defeat to City at Old Trafford in October 2022, with both Erling Haaland and Phil Foden scoring a hat-trick.

Both managers share a footballing philosophy rooted in the teachings of Johan Cruyff. Ten Hag is a former Ajax manager, while Guardiola has a strong influence from Ajax's style of play.

Guardiola is a disciple of Johan Cruyff, who is a central figure in Dutch football. Guardiola, initially an unassuming Barcelona reserve-team player, was brought into Cruyff’s ‘Dream Team’ and eventually became a European Cup winner.

In 2008, Cruyff recommended the untested Guardiola for Barcelona’s managerial position, leading to great success and further cementing Cruyff’s legacy. Reflecting on Cruyff's influence in 2016, Guardiola said, "Without him, I wouldn’t be here."

United boss Ten Hag was influenced by Cruyff from a young age, and there is even a clip of a 13-year-old Ten Hag asking Cruyff a question on Dutch television, showing their early connection.

Ten Hag was, according to his assistant Steve McClaren, known as “mini Pep” at Bayern, when they coached on adjacent training pitches.

Despite these similarities, Ten Hag’s Manchester United is not a carbon copy of Guardiola’s Manchester City. While they share certain philosophies, there are distinct differences in their approaches.

In their managerial head-to-heads, Guardiola has dominated, winning four out of five encounters against Ten Hag.

However, the tactical battle between these two will be crucial in determining the outcome of the FA Cup final.

Bernardo Silva vs Diogo Dalot

As Manchester City prepare for the FA Cup final, fans may witness Bernardo Silva's swansong in a City shirt, following a flag tribute to him at their last game of the season.

Silva, often hailed as one of football’s most underrated talents, consistently delivers standout performances in crucial matches. Silva is a small, elegant, and creative left-footed playmaker whose intelligence on the field allows him to seamlessly adapt to various roles.

Guardiola, his manager, has lauded Silva's unique understanding of the game, saying: “Bernardo Silva doesn’t just play football - he understands football. There are players that play well with the ball, but he understands every action like few in the world.”

Silva’s impact in the FA Cup has been profound this season, scoring in three out of four matches, including the decisive 84th-minute winner against Chelsea in the semi-finals. His prowess and importance to City make him a formidable opponent.

To counter Silva’s influence, Manchester United will rely on Diogo Dalot, who has recently excelled in his new position as a left-back. Dalot, with one goal and two assists in the FA Cup, showcases significant attacking threat.

However, he has been criticised for occasional defensive lapses - weaknesses Silva could potentially exploit.

Despite these concerns, Dalot's defensive improvements, combined with his excellent dribbling, passing and crossing abilities, have been crucial for United.

His impressive performances this season earned him a nomination for the Premier League Team of the Season. This individual battle between Dalot and Silva will be pivotal.

If Dalot can successfully neutralise Silva’s influence, it will significantly enhance Manchester United’s chances of lifting the FA Cup.

Erling Haaland vs United’s defence

Erling Haaland has clinched this season's Premier League Top Goal Scorer title, adding another accolade to his impressive resume.

In just two seasons in the Premier League, the Norwegian striker has won two Premier League titles and two Golden Boots.

Haaland's clinical finishing and dynamic movement make him a formidable opponent, defying the expectations for a player of his stature.

Last season, Haaland had a record-breaking campaign, and he continued his dominance this season by scoring 27 goals in the Premier League.

This brings his total to an astonishing 63 goals in 66 appearances. His FA Cup performances have been equally impressive, scoring five goals in just two appearances this season.

Manchester United are well aware of Haaland's prowess. In the past two years, he has faced the Red Devils five times, scoring six goals and providing three assists.

Despite their best efforts, United have struggled to contain the Norwegian forward.

Injuries have plagued United's defence, particularly in the centre-back position, forcing an unlikely partnership between 36-year-old Jonny Evans and midfielder Casemiro in the final games of the season.

However, there is good news for United fans as Lisandro Martinez has returned from a long injury. Martinez played 59 minutes on the last day of the season, delivering a performance that transformed the team against Brighton.

His confidence and composure elevate the play of those around him, making him an invaluable asset.

Nicknamed “The Butcher” for his aggressive and tenacious defending, Martinez is known for his tight marking and fierce, yet fair, tackles.

His defensive prowess will be crucial in countering Haaland’s impressive movement inside the box. United also hope Raphael Varane will be fit to start in the FA Cup final, his last game for the club.

Varane's exceptional speed, agility and game-reading ability will be vital in keeping Haaland at bay. His impeccable positioning and anticipation make him a defensive stalwart, and his height will help compensate for Martinez's lack of it in aerial duels.

The battle between Haaland and United’s defence, particularly the centre-back partnership, promises to be a compelling contest.

United will need to find a way to shackle Haaland if they hope to win this crucial game.

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Kevin de Bruyne vs Kobbie Mainoo

Kevin de Bruyne stands out as an elite modern advanced playmaker, recognised for his exceptional technique, skill, agility, relentless off-the-ball work, sharp vision, precise crosses, diverse passing repertoire and potent long-distance shooting prowess with both feet.

De Bruyne, in his time at City, has put his name in the hat as one of the best midfielders the Premier League has ever seen. Just last week, De Bruyne moved to second in the all-time Premier League assist rankings with 112, overtaking Cesc Fabregas.

The Belgian has been impressive in City’s FA Cup run as well, being the competition's top assists creator this campaign with an impressive five assists in just four matches.

This will be another stern test for breakout star Kobbie Mainoo, who will have to face off against the world's very best. Mainoo has impressed so much in his debut season that he recently got selected for the England squad for Euro 2024.

In his most recent performance, which was the Red Devils' last league game of the season, the 19-year-old delivered a well-rounded performance with 21 completed passes, 10 out of 13 final third passes completed, three interceptions, two out of three tackles won, two dribbles, one block, one shot, and one goal.

This goal brought his Premier League tally to three this season. Paul Scholes is the only central midfielder to have scored more (five) in a single season while still being a teenager in Manchester United’s history.

At just 19 years old, Mainoo has proven himself indispensable, igniting excitement among the Manchester United faithful about his potential.

His name is among the first on the team sheet, regardless of the opposition.

This young talent is a phenomenon in the making and will play a pivotal role in the upcoming showdown against the formidable Kevin de Bruyne.

For United to secure victory, Mainoo must rise to the occasion and disrupt De Bruyne’s rhythm.

Matching De Bruyne's creativity and vision will be a significant challenge, but Mainoo’s tenacity, defensive capabilities and growing confidence in possession will be crucial in limiting the Belgian’s influence on the game.

This individual battle could very well determine the flow of the match and, ultimately, the outcome of the FA Cup final.

Phil Foden vs Bruno Fernandes

Phil Foden, the name on everyone's lips at the moment, has been named the 2023/2024 Premier League Player of the Season.

The left-footed 23-year-old has had a truly phenomenal season. Already boasting 30 trophies and awards at his young age, Foden shows no signs of slowing down.

This season, he has racked up an impressive 27 goals and 11 assists in all competitions.

In the Premier League this season, only Erling Haaland has scored more non-penalty goals than Foden. Remarkably, Foden has netted six goals from outside the box - twice as many as any other player in the league.

His recent form has been unstoppable, and his record against Manchester United is equally impressive, scoring six times in his last four starts against the Red Devils.

On the other side, Bruno Fernandes, the Portuguese international at the heart of Manchester United's midfield, stands as a formidable opponent. Fernandes has also been nominated for the Premier League Team of the Season.

He played a crucial role in United’s journey to the FA Cup final, being among the top goal scorers and assists creators with three goals and two assists in five FA Cup games.

In the semi-final against Coventry City, Fernandes led in most shots, created nine chances, made six tackles, and completed 85 out of 100 passes attempted.

In the Premier League, Fernandes leads United in both goals and assists this season. He created 114 chances - 10 more than any other player in the league - making him the first since Eden Hazard to lead in chances created for consecutive seasons.

Fernandes is not just about attacking flair; he's a complete midfielder, ranking third in tackles and interceptions at United.

Foden will face a stern challenge in getting past Fernandes, setting up an exciting midfield battle in the upcoming final showpiece.

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