Enemies across town On Saturday, Manchester United and Manchester City will face off at Wembley.
Ten Hag’s squad has one more opportunity to earn a European berth next season if they win in the capital.
Is Mauricio Pochettino’s departure from Chelsea a light for Manchester United to emerge from the Erik ten Hag shadow? – A As it’s all getting underway, listen! Podcast
The combined XI for the FA Cup final, as decided by sports data firm SofaScore, has only two Manchester United players.
Wembley Stadium will host Saturday’s match between Manchester City, winners of the FA Cup seven times, and the Red Devils, who completed the season in eighth place, their lowest Premier League campaign ever.
Erik Ten Hag’s team narrowly advanced to the final after losing 3-0 to Coventry in the semi-finals last month. They will face each other in a rematch of last year’s final, after a 4-2 penalty shootout victory.
After winning the Premier League for a record fourth year in a row at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday, City are heavy favourites to capture the domestic double. Meanwhile, Ten Hag seems to be leaving the team after a disappointing season.
In preparation for a journey to the nation’s capital, who, if anybody, was named to SofaScore’s XI? Look what Mail Sport found!
As the FA Cup final approaches this weekend, Manchester United will have one last opportunity to play in Europe next season.
As the FA Cup final approaches this weekend, Manchester United will have one last opportunity to play in Europe next season.
Enemies across town On Saturday, Manchester City will go to Wembley Stadium to try to clinch a domestic double.
Enemies across town On Saturday, Manchester City will go to Wembley Stadium to try to clinch a domestic double.
Erik ten Hag (on the left) and Pep Guardiola face off in their last campaign match.
Erik ten Hag (on the left) and Pep Guardiola face off in their last campaign match.
TRENDING
Goalkeeper
As for Andre Onana, his 7.18
Even though he only made two starts for Manchester United, Andre Onana earned a rating of 7.18 for his pivotal role in last month’s penalty shootout against Coventry.
Though he had a “one to forget” first season with the Reds, the Cameroonian goalkeeper wasted no time stopping Callum O’Hare from advancing the Championship team to the championship game in the Cup’s shootout.
Since United’s defence has been porous all season long in the Premier League, Onana has been the hero in goal, making more saves than any other custodian with 149 total.
When Ten Hag’s sides are joined, only Andre Onana and one other member survive.
When Ten Hag’s sides are joined, only Andre Onana and one other member survive.
The Cameroon international has steadied himself after a difficult start and is now a dependable custodian.
The Cameroon international has steadied himself after a difficult start and is now a dependable custodian.
Josko Gvardiol has been an asset on defence and has scored more goals as of late.
Josko Gvardiol has been an asset on defence and has scored more goals as of late.
Defenders
A 7.35 from Josko Gvardiol
Josko Gvardiol has been an integral part of Pep Guardiola’s record-winning Manchester City club after a shaky start (he has a 7.35 rating on SofaScore).
Both his goal-scoring abilities and his controlled defensive performances have surprised many this season, and the left back has received plaudits for both.
More than ever before, Man City’s most recent championship win is significant. Pep Guardiola has accomplished what Jose Mourinho, Arsene Wenger, and Sir Alex Ferguson were unable to. Article picture written by OLIVER HOLT
Guardiola will be able to use the Croatian’s versatility on Saturday after he scored twice against Fulham to put a fourth straight League championship within reach. He has scored five goals in seven games in all competitions.
Bruno Akanji – 7.18
When John Stones was out with an injury, Manuel Akanji had to be flexible and play more to the right of his natural position as centre defender.
But the Swiss international has done an excellent job with it, and in the latter weeks of the season, he tightened up City’s defensive by partnering with Nathan Ake.
In the meantime, Akanji has established himself as an integral part of the Blues’ team, earning a 7.18 SofaScore rating and adding to their pursuit of a straight domestic double.
In John Stones’s absence, Manuel Akanji has bolstered Man City’s defence.
In John Stones’s absence, Manuel Akanji has bolstered Man City’s defence.
This season, Ruben Dias has added to his collection of trophies, and he hopes to add a second one.
This season, Ruben Dias has added to his collection of trophies, and he hopes to add a second one.
Ruben Dias’s score 7.20
Ever since his 2020 signing with Manchester City, Ruben Dias has been an anchor in the middle of the defence.
The former Benfica player had 75 clearances in the domestic season this year, good for a 7.20, and many are praising his efforts to emulate Vincent Kompany.
About 7.15 minutes in, Kyle Walker
As a dependable defender, City’s Kyle Walker is crucial in one-on-one situations, which is why SofaScore included him in their Best XI with a rating of 7.15.
Even though he didn’t make the team’s quickest players list, the Cityzens captain is a right back par excellence; in the 2023–24 season, he had a 74% success rate in tackles.
This combined XI would be incomplete without Man City’s captain, who is one of Guardiola’s steadfast constants.
This combined XI would be incomplete without Man City’s captain, who is one of Guardiola’s steadfast constants.
Midfielders
Ryan Giggs – 7.88
De Bruyne’s numbers are impressive regardless of whether you consider him in or out for the first half of the season.
After claiming that Pep Guardiola’s team “toyed with them” in last year’s FA Cup final, Roy Keane has advised Man United to “cut the c**p” and “put in a performance” when facing rivals Man City in this year’s final.
The midfielder has the most assists this season despite playing in only 18 Premier League games. He has 15 assists in all competitions since January and a score of 7.88, making him the top scorer for the calendar year.
The record for most assists in FA Cup finals is three, shared by Olivier Giroud and the Belgian playmaker.
Rudi – 7.96
Guardiola gushed over Rodri, calling him the finest midfielder in the world, “by far,” after he earned the highest score in the XI and won eleven major awards with Manchester City after joining from Atletico Madrid in 2019.
Despite playing a more defensive position for City, the Spaniard contributed eight goals and nine assists to City’s Premier League total this season. His goal against West Ham was the game-winning and league-winning moment for the Blues.
Even though he was out for much of the season, Kevin De Bruyne is back to his brilliant self.
Even though he was out for much of the season, Kevin De Bruyne is back to his brilliant self.
Rodri, who plays for Spain, has one of the sport’s most ruthless unbroken personal records.
Rodri, who plays for Spain, has one of the sport’s most ruthless unbroken personal records.
His illustrious coach has also praised the metronomic midfielder, calling him the finest “by far.”
His illustrious coach has also praised the metronomic midfielder, calling him the finest “by far.”
Pedro Fernandes – 7.79
As one of United’s more reliable players this season, Bruno Fernandes is rewarded with a position in the starting lineup.
Fernandes, captain of United, had 18 goal-scoring opportunities this season on 114 of them, more than any other player.
With a SofaScore of 7.79, the Portuguese international Fernandes is no stranger to the competition’s big stages; last season, he scored in the FA Cup Final after converting a penalty kick against Coventry.
Ten Hag’s most impressive creator this season has been Bruno Fernandes, who has set up more scoring opportunities than any other player in the league.
Ten Hag’s most impressive creator this season has been Bruno Fernandes, who has set up more scoring opportunities than any other player in the league.
GRADE EVERY PLAYER: Impressive performances by Kevin De Bruyne and Bernardo Silva as they prepare for the FA Cup final and Phil Foden confirms his status as the season’s best player
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A 7.80 from Phil Foden
The individual trophies are on their way to Phil Foden following an outstanding performance, which has been the finest season of his career.
After scoring 27 goals and assisting on 11 more in all competitions in 2023–24, Foden was crowned Premier League Player of the Season and is expected to be a regular starter for Gareth Southgate this summer. His rating is 7.80.
On Saturday, the homegrown sensation will join his Blues colleagues in the lineup for a shot at an eighth FA Cup championship—and at 23 years old, Foden may win his third.
FWA’s Most Valuable Player The current season for Phil Foden and Manchester City blue has been the best of his career.
FWA’s Most Valuable Player The current season for Phil Foden and Manchester City blue has been the best of his career.
Man City advanced to Saturday’s final thanks in large part to Bernardo Silva’s braces; Guardiola will be hoping for more magic from the Portugal international in the next match.
Man City advanced to Saturday’s final thanks in large part to Bernardo Silva’s braces; Guardiola will be hoping for more magic from the Portugal international in the next match.
Just before Erling Haaland is announced, Julian Alvarez (pictured) is added as the last missing link.
Just before Erling Haaland is announced, Julian Alvarez (pictured) is added as the last missing list
Julian Alvarez at 7.13
Julian Alvarez beat out Erling Haaland, who won the Golden Boot in the 2023–24 Premier League, for a spot on the squad.
In City’s domestic campaign this year, the Argentine World Cup champion was instrumental in their pursuit of the Champions League defence, which they eventually failed to achieve. He registered 20 goal involvements.
In September, Guardiola dubbed Alvarez “almost undroppable.” During the team’s European campaign, Alvarez scored twice against RB Leipzig and set up the third goal. In an impressive 3,445 minutes played in all competitions, he has accumulated a score of 7.43.
Bernado Silva – 7.51
Bernado Silva is a treasure for Guardiola, having extended his contract at the beginning of the season. However, he experienced Champions League heartache earlier this season when he missed a penalty kick in the quarterfinal match against Real Madrid.
The next day, Manchester City were within striking distance of back-to-back FA Cup triumphs thanks to Silva’s perfectly placed goal with six minutes remaining in last month’s semi-final at Wembley, which broke the stalemate against Chelsea.
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