Manchester United need victory in Saturday’s FA Cup final to secure European football for next season, while they can also stop Manchester City from claiming a second successive domestic double.
For Erik ten Hag the game could also go a long way to deciding his fate in the dugout, with Ineos yet to commit to a decision his long-term future as the club’s manager. The final is a repeat of last year’s, which City won 2-1 thanks to an Ilkay Gundogan double, including the fastest goal ever scored in an FA Cup final.
This year Pep Guardiola’s side are even stronger favourites, having finished 31 points ahead of their rivals in the Premier League table, but the Blues aren’t invincible and there are ways to worry them if United get things right.
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Pace on the break
This is stating the obvious but so much of United’s success against City in recent seasons has been about using their pace in attack to exploit counter-attacking opportunities.
The goals they score against Pep Guardiola’s side tend to be either rapid breaks or stunning strikes, such as Marcus Rashford’s at the Etihad in March. The best approach at Wembley is surely to use the speed they do have in the final third and to try and play balls over the top early on.
That might mean a change in approach for Erik ten Hag. Bruno Fernandes started the wins against Newcastle United and Brighton in a false nine role, but he doesn’t stretch the play and doesn’t have the pace to get away. The Portuguese is also needed to play those counter-attacking passes.
That might mean a return for Rasmus Hojlund, while Alejandro Garnacho fits the bill as a starter as well. Amad is an excellent dribbler but it’s in tight areas rather than on the break and maybe that means a start for Rashford, who can use his pace to good effect.
Pack the middle
A lot of United’s game plan is going to be about stopping City and to that end the wisest approach might be to pack the middle of the pitch and give up some space out wide.
Some of this will depend on who starts for City, but if Bernardo occupies a role wide on the right and it’s Jack Grealish who plays on the left, then a lot of their play will come through the middle. If Phil Foden and Kevin De Bruyne continue as twin playmakers then stopping them getting time on the bill is going to be vital.
That might mean a compact shape in midfield. Casemiro and Sofyan Amrabat could play alongside each other if the Brazilian isn’t needed in central defence. They could swamp that space where De Bruyne and Foden are so dangerous.
Make it nervy
United’s best approach might simply be to stay in the game and make it a nerve-wracking affair. The pressure is all on City here and history is on the line again as they chase the first ever Double Double.
There were times when they looked a little edgy at Wembley last season and they played like they were full of nerves in Istanbul against Inter Milan.
In major finals (Carabao Cup, FA Cup and Champions League) City haven’t won by more than one goal since thrashing Watford 6-0 in the 2019 FA Cup final. Since then they beaten Aston Villa, Tottenham, Manchester United and Inter Milan by the odd goal and lost to Chelsea in a Champions League final.
It’s been a while since they ran away with one of these big showpiece events and if United can keep it tight it might make City a little nervy.