Man City v Man United: FA Cup Final Preview, Odds, Predictions (June 3)

Initial Thoughts

City chase an historic treble while United hunt a more than respectable double. How Eric ten Hag’s side would love to upset the apple cart (again) when the two sides go head to head for the FA Cup trophy at Wembley on Saturday.

The Narrative

Two games into the 2022/23 season things were NOT looking good for Erik ten Hag. 

After back-to-back losses that saw the Red Devils concede six goals against Brighton and Brentford, few Man United fans could have foreseen the club on the verge of an impressive cup double come the end of the season.

But after bidding farewell to Cristiano Ronaldo, harnessing the strength and experience of Casemiro, and witnessing the resurgence of Marcus Rashord, Utd have already bagged themselves a third place finish in the league and lifted the Carling Cup.

So having booked a place in next season’s Champions League all that’s left to do is see off their cross town rivals on Saturday and lift an FA Cup trophy as well.

Manchester City played catchup to the Gunners all season, but having won 12 matches in a row to claim a fourth title in five years Pep Guardiola’s side are closing in on an historic treble.

Having already booked their place in next Saturday’s Champions League Final, could this be the week that Pep finally achieves legendary status on the blue side of Manchester?

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Nuts & Bolts

There’s a reason Man City enter this game as favorites. Across five FA Cup matches en route to Saturday’s final the Sky Blues won each inside 90 minutes without conceding a single goal. In fact, the aggregate scoreline of City’s cup run so far is a whopping 17 goals to nil.

United had to work slightly harder, winning each of their first four matches 3-1 and then needing penalties to see off Brighton in the semis after 120 goalless minutes.

The (Red) devil is in the details here though, because for all their firepower and possession, City were on the losing end when these sides last met in the league.

Despite having almost 80% of the play and going ahead through Jack Grealish, City ran out 2-1 losers after late goals from Bruno and Marcus Rashford turned the tide at Old Trafford back in January.

Rashford has been on fire under Erik ten Hag, and this season the England striker became the first Man Utd player of the post-Ferguson era to reach 30 goals in all competitions. 

His assists were in the double digits as well and Rashford could well be the difference maker at Wembley on Saturday.

Erling Haaland has dominated the headlines this season, but the big man’s goal rate has slowed significantly of late, with just a single strike in his last six matches in all competitions. 

So could the stage be set for Rashord to take center stage at Wembley on Saturday? And could underdogs Man U be about to upset City’s treble chasing hopes in a game everyone is expecting them to win?

The Champions League is the one trophy City’s owners really want, so could Pep’s side take their eyes of the prize here ahead of next week's UCL final against Inter?

Homestand Picks

All odds courtesy of Northstar Bets

Marcus Rashord anytime goal (+215)

Rashford scored 8 in the Carling Cup but so far has just a single goal in the FA Cup. It’s going to be all about the counter against City though, and that’s precisely how he found the net against Pep’s side when these teams last met in the league back in January.

Manchester United or Tie (+150)

Yes, City have been in bulldozing form. But it’s the Champions League they really care about. Pep’s side failed to win either of there final two games of the season, and although those fixtures featured heavily rotated side, City’s winning momentum has been broken nonetheless. For United, this is where the season ends and the Red Devils can sign off IN STYLE.  We can see them frustrating their city rivals after 90 mins.

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