The nightmare Premier League season might have come to an end for Man United but the Red Devils still need to play one more match which is going to be the FA Cup final at Wembley against Manchester City.
This one is a repeat of last year’s final which Manchester United lost 2-1 and things are not looking great for them this time either. United have won just one out of their six meetings against their local rivals and this season, they have lost both their derbies in the EPL.
Man United go into this final at the back of just two wins out of their last five games but a win at Wembley will help soothe their wounds a little bit. The Red Devils have finished 8th on the league table, losing a record 14 Premier League games throughout the season however ending the season with silverware will be a really nice and uplifting thing for Erik ten Hag and his boys.
There’s no doubt that beating an in-form Manchester City team will be a major uphill battle for Erik ten Hag but if he can somehow help Man United lift the FA Cup then it might just end up saving his job.
Manchester United’s team news and injuries:
Erik ten Hag has had to deal with more than 60 different injuries during the 23/24 season and once again for the weekend, he will be without six first-team players.
According to MUFC’s latest injury update, Harry Maguire has a fair chance of playing in the FA Cup final but now that Lisandro Martinez is back, Ten Hag can finally use his preferred centre-back partnership of Martinez and Varane.
This was his preferred combination before the season had begun but the Man United manager has not gotten a chance to use them together. Also, Varane is going to leave in the summer and he will want to bow out by winning the FA Cup.
Luke Shaw is trying to be fit for Saturday but it’s highly unlikely that he is going to be available for selection. Shaw and Malacia’s absence means Diogo Dalot and Aaron Wan-Bissaka will have to share full-back duties.
Varane’s return will allow Casemiro to come back into midfield and the Brazilian will pair up with Kobbie Mainoo. This is also going to be Casemiro’s final season with Man United and he will want to end his English adventure with a bang because apart from a few good performances, the ex-Madrid man has been really underwhelming this season.
Marcus Rashford is back from injury but we don’t think Ten Hag is going to name him in the starting XI. Garnacho will play on the left with Amad Diallo on the other side. Amad has been a much more stable right-winger and he will definitely start ahead of Antony.
Rasmus Hojlund has endured a tough first season at Man United but he’s still managed to score 16 goals across all competitions. This number is certainly not bad for a 21-year-old but players like Bruno and Garnacho have to make sure that the forward receives service inside the box.
Man United predicted line up vs Man City – FA Cup:
Goalkeeper: Andre Onana.
Defenders: Dalot, Wan-Bissaka, Varane, Lisandro Martinez.
Midfielders: Casemiro, Bruno Fernandes, Kobbie Mainoo.
Attackers: Rasmus Hojlund.
