Man United started the 22/23 season in dismal fashion but they could end it by winning the FA Cup at Wembley, that too against Manchester City.
Erik ten Hag has done a remarkable job this season and if he can rally his players for one final top-drawer performance then Man City will surely face a tough task.
In the first Manchester Derby of the season, City beat Man United 6-3 but back in January, the Red Devils had come from behind to win 2-1 at Old Trafford.
United will definitely be the underdogs next Sunday but they have beaten big teams like Barcelona and Liverpool and if they can bring that same level of performance to Wembley they can surely end the season with two silverware along with a top-four finish.
Manchester United’s team news and injuries:
Ten Hag has a fairly long injury list and the biggest miss with be Lisandro Martinez who is recovering from a broken foot.
Victor Lindelof has done a more than decent job in Martinez’s absence but he along with Varane will have an uphill task of stopping Erling Haaland.
Marcel Sabitzer is also missing with a knee injury while Donny van de Beek has been out since January.
Antony is the latest injury setback after he picked up a knock last week against Chelsea. Initially, it was thought he will no longer play this season but on Sunday, the Man United has hinted that there is still an outside chance of the winger featuring in the FA Cup final.
Ten Hag told MUTV: “We’ve all seen how he came off and it didn’t look great but the first assessment is not too bad, there is a good opportunity he is available for the cup final next week.”
This is great news for Man United fans but we doubt if the winger will play on Sunday. He has been pictured on crutches and even if he is ready, Ten Hag won’t risk putting him on the pitch against a team like Manchester City.
Jadon Sancho is likely to play on the right-hand side but Bruno Fernandes can also operate out wide with Christian Eriksen playing as the No 10.
If Fernandes is the No 10 then Eriksen could be on the bench because the energetic Fred will be much more apt at stopping and pinning down De Bruyne and Gundogan.
In the latest setback, Anthony Martial has picked up yet another injury and will miss the final on Sunday.
An official club statement has revealed: “Anthony Martial is out of Saturday’s Emirates FA Cup final against Manchester City due to injury.
“The France international strained his hamstring towards the end of Sunday’s 2-1 win against Fulham at Old Trafford. Assessments have since revealed a muscle tear that rules the 27-year-old out of the Wembley showdown.”
Martial’s fresh injury could see Marcus Rashford play up front which will allow young Garnacho to come into the starting XI. If Antony is available then Jadon Sancho can also play out on the left wing.
Man United predicted line up vs Man City:
Predicted starting line up(4-2-3-1): De Gea; Varane, Lindelof, Luke Shaw, Wan-Bissaka; Casemiro, Eriksen/Fred; Bruno Fernandes, Sancho, Garnacho; Marcus Rashford.
