FA Cup Final talk: Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag seeks Wembley redemption, Guardiola eyes more historic football news from Manchester City

In an even more polarizing situation, it will be almost impossible for two managers who have prepared their teams for Saturday’s FA Cup final to do so.

City are enjoying unprecedented success in English football, while United are weathering a storm so fierce that it may not calm down even if they beat their rivals at Wembley.

The contrasting fortunes of Pep Guardiola and Erik ten Hag are just one of the talking points ahead of Saturday’s showcase event. sky sports’ Football writers take a look at what’s at stake this weekend.

Is the final more important for Ten Witches?

The writing may be on the wall for Ten Witches two years into the job after one of the club’s worst league seasons in a generation, with new minority owner Ineos considering how best to take the club forward.

The United boss has overseen the club’s lowest ever finish in the Premier League, 14 league defeats and a negative goal difference for the first time in their history, while defeat at Wembley would see them face their second winless campaign since 1989/90 Season of competing in European competitions.

Four wins in the last 13 games of the Premier League season, including a humiliating 4-0 defeat at Crystal Palace in early May, showed that the progress they had made under the Dutch coach had stalled, and even the way they scored the goals is also like this.

Ten Hag described the hostile media reaction to their semi-final victory as “embarrassing” but the assessment of United’s performance against the Sky Blues was just a snapshot of a season in which they have been accused of failing to control games.

There will be no shortage of candidates if Sir Jim Ratcliffe decides to make a change and Mauricio Pochettino – who was considered for the role in 2022 before appointing Ten Hag – is the man to leave The latest candidate to emerge after Chelsea.

Former Blues managers Thomas Tuchel and Graham Potter have also been linked with the incident, as well as England manager Gareth Southgate and Ipswich Town’s Kieran McKenna.

The final decision may come down to how much of United’s demise lies with Ten Hague and how much is the result of structural issues beyond the manager’s control.
Ben Getz

Last chance to decide Euro match time

With England and Scotland unveiling their provisional squads for Euro 2024 this week, Saturday’s FA Cup final provides the final touches for players to get some significant game time.

Manchester United have three players in Gareth Southgate’s squad. Youngster Kobe Manu will be looking to end his breakthrough season at a high level, while Harry Maguire has been a constant presence in an injured backline – a role he is likely to continue to play for England.

The question of Luke Shaw remains unresolved. He has not played any football since February and is unlikely to feature this weekend. However, he is England’s only recognized left-back but faces an uphill battle to break into the Germany squad.

Scotland’s Scott McTominay is one Manchester United player who could feature. A talisman for his homeland, he started the final three games of the Premier League season and was named captain against Arsenal.

Manchester City’s Phil Foden and captain Kyle Walker will be hoping to add some silverware as they head into the European Championships after outstanding seasons.

But John Stones, who usually plays alongside Maguire for England, has started just 12 league games this season, partly due to injury and partly due to the form of other players.

Jack Greeley has even struggled with injuries at times. Both he and Stones will be hoping to help cement their places in Southgate’s last 26 within minutes.

But England boss and Scotland’s Steve Clark also hopes serious injuries will not hamper some of their selections. At this point in the season, with a big game coming up, it’s a headache that no one needs.
Charlotte Marsh

Can Haaland reach another milestone?

Manchester City’s top scorer Erling Haaland may not be able to equal last year’s astonishing 52 goals, but despite missing most of the season with a foot injury over Christmas, Erling Haaland Haaland has scored 40 goals or more and is on the verge of achieving a major milestone in consecutive seasons in all competitions.

To achieve that, he would need two goals at Wembley, which would take his City tally to 92 since joining from Borussia Dortmund less than two years ago.

The Norwegian has been involved in nine goals (six goals, three assists) in five games against Manchester United in all competitions, more than he has scored against any other team as a Manchester City player.

Haaland, who failed to score in last season’s Champions League final and failed to impress in the semi-finals against Real Madrid this season, will not only want to prove to himself that he is capable of producing decisive moments on the biggest stage.
Ben Getz

Ignored Rashford has a point to prove

It’s been a trying few weeks for Marcus Rashford. The striker’s return was marred by a heated altercation with a Manchester United fan during the 3-2 win over Newcastle at Old Trafford, and the forward was surprisingly beaten by Gareth Southgate The special exclusion was left out of England’s provisional squad for the European Championships.

His absence comes after a poor season. Rashford scored 30 goals in all competitions last season and only scored 8 times this season. Southgate believes others have surpassed him at international level and the touchline row at Old Trafford highlighted his strained relationship with fans.

Many lost patience with his ineffective performance. Rashford clearly lacked confidence in his game but also lacked application at times. Off-field disciplinary issues, including an unsanctioned trip to Belfast, didn’t help.

His stock is low but he should prove his quality at Wembley, with City reminding just how much he has become with his sensational long-range strike at the Etihad Stadium in March when the teams last met Danger.

Rashford’s strike proved in vain on that occasion but he also scored against Pep Guardiola’s side last season, converting Alejandro Garnacho’s cross for the Old Trafford boss. Trafford won 2-1.

He may not be on the team this time. His last visit to Wembley was in the semi-final win over Coventry City, where he was booed by some fans when he was substituted. He has not started since then, with Amad Diallo impressing in his absence.

But you suspect City would be much happier if his name didn’t appear in Saturday’s squad. They know the damage he can do. Now would be a good time for him to speak.
Nick Wright

Manchester City looking for double

This may seem a bit watered down in the context of City’s treble win last season, but while they may have missed out on retaining their European crown, they can still become the first team to win back-to-back league and cup doubles .

This could be a second piece of history this season after they became the first team in English football history to win four consecutive league titles.

Whatever the outcome, it will be the first time since 1884/85 that the same team has played in the final in consecutive seasons, with the most recent pairing being Blackburn Rovers and Scottish side Queen’s Park, with Rangers winning both games.

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola admits he will be “closer to leaving than staying” at the Etihad Stadium at the end of next season following his side’s record-breaking fourth consecutive Premier League title.

“My feeling is that I want to stay now. I will stay next season and we will talk during this season,” Guardiola said after beating West Ham United 3-1 to seal the title by two points. Eighty or nine years from now – we’ll see the results.

The 53-year-old also admitted he considered leaving after last season’s treble, suggesting he felt there was nothing left to achieve following a 1-0 win over Inter Milan to win the Champions League.

That feeling could return if City become the first English club to win back-to-back league and cup doubles on Saturday, especially if it’s a precursor to an unprecedented fifth consecutive title next season.
Ben Getz

PS: Other clubs’ European hopes…

Victory for Manchester United would mean they secure a Europa League spot, but victory for Manchester City would be good news for both of their league rivals.

If Pep Guardiola’s side win, sixth-placed Chelsea will qualify for Europe’s second-tier leagues, while Newcastle, which competes in the Champions League this season, will secure a spot in the Europa League.

If Manchester United win the cup, Chelsea will compete in La Liga and Newcastle will miss out on Europe entirely.