Manchester United travel to Wembley on Saturday where they will take on Manchester City to contest the Emirates FA Cup. City won the Premier League last weekend so will be up for doing the double, after their treble last season. United want to end the season with a trophy.
Erik ten Hag could manage his final match for United if the reports in the media are true and he will leave United after the match. Having won the Carabao Cup last season, it seemed that United were on the trail to glory again, but this season has been abject, mainly because of injuries.
City will be a massive challenge for this United team, which has played with a depleted defence for the last few months with players returning in time for the pinnacle cup of English football this weekend. United will go into the match knowing that they can challenge City, despite their strength.
Predicted Manchester United Starting XI – 4-2-3-1
Onana;
Wan-Bissaka, Varane, Martinez, Dalot;
Mainoo, Amrabat;
Amad, Fernandes, Garnacho;
Hojlund
Goalkeeper: Onana
Andre Onana has endured a turbulent season at United. Conceding 82 goals in all competitions, which has been terrible for a club the size of United. Granted, this number of goals conceded is not just the fault of the goalkeeper, especially with the injuries United have endured too.
Against City, it is expected that Onana will play his first FA Cup final, which is good for both him and United. The best part is that he should have a much better defence than has bene the case over the last few months with Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez both back in action.
Onana is an experienced player and I am sure, with a settled defence in front of him, the future will be bright, especially as United will have to sort out the defence in the summer, replacing the likes of Varane, who will be leaving the club after this match. The future could be bright for United.
Defenders: Wan-Bissaka, Varane, Martinez, Dalot
Ten Hag could have his best defenders available for the FA Cup Final against City at Wembley on Saturday afternoon. Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Diogo Dalot will again keep their places in the starting XI in the fullback positions, Wan-Bissaka at right-back and Dalot at left-back.
In the centre of the defence, Ten Hag could choose both Raphael Varane, who will be playing his final match for United before he leaves the club in the summer, and Lisandro Martinez, who has made his return to action in the last few weeks from his latest injury, which sting United.
Having these players in the defence will be a major boost for United, who have relied on playing Casemiro out of position for the last matches of the season with few fit central defenders with experience available. The end of the season has been long-awaited – hopefully United win this one.
Midfield: Mainoo, Amrabat
Kobbie Mainoo has been a revelation for United this season. He has come into the first team. taken the chance that he was given and paid it back multiple times to the manager for giving him the chance. His form has paid of with an England callup for the preliminary squad this summer.
Mainoo has been great for United and there will be so much more to come from the player, which is the mist exciting aspect for United supporters. This is the kind of impact I was expecting from Paul Pogba at United, so his supporters might see the difference between the Mainoo and Pogo.
Sofyan Amrabat is expected to keep his place in the starting XI against City this weekend based on what he has done for the club in a handful of matches. Casemiro is clearly a player that is either fatigued or past his best – but Ten Hag has some positive options in these positions now.
Attacking Midfield: Amad, Fernandes, Garnacho
United’s attacking midfield will need to challenge City at Wembley if they are to string something together and be the difference between the two clubs. United suffered very quickly against City in the FA Cup Final last season and it was safe stop say they were not on the comeback to win.
Amad should be starting on the right-wing again as I feel he has something great to offer the club going forward. It seems more exciting when he has the ball and is running into the opposition final third. Bruno Fernandes will continue doing what he does for the club, the Player of the Season.
Alejandro Garnacho will be up for the challenge of City at Wembley and will be seeking to get himself on the scoresheet once again, which could well be the difference for United. The likes of Mason Mount, Antony and Marcus Rashford could all be utilised in this positions from the bench too.
Forward: Hojlund
Rasmus Hojlund is United’s top goalscorer this season, which is an achievement for the player who was largely criticised at the start of the season when he could not find any goals in the Premier League. However, that has changed now with the young Dane doing well in front of goal.
His inexperience was a problem at the start of the season, but many months later, he has settled in at the club and seems to be doing what is required, especially in front of goal. He will be a great player in the years to come if his development continues as he has this season.
It is likely that Hojlund will lead the line against City, having been benched in the last two matches for his club. Ten Hag seems to have managed his fitness very well in the run up to the FA Cup Final, which is the most important fixture of the season for United and one they must win.
Substitutes: Bayindir; Lindelof; Mount, Eriksen, Casemiro, McTominay; Martial, Rashford, Antony
United will have nine players on the bench against City in the FA Cup Final on Saturday. Altay Bayindir looks set to remain on the bench with Onana in goal Fromm the start of the match. There is no chance he will start this FA Cup Final this weekend with few playing minutes this season.
In defence, United could be boosted by the return of Victor Lindelof, which would be good considering the options United have has at the latter end of the season. In midfield, Mason Mount, Christian Eriksen, Casemiro and Scott McTominay could all be options, which is a positive.
In attack, United should be boosted again with the long-awaited return of Anthony Martial, who could be seen in a United shire for the final time, Marcus Rashford and Antony. Of couse, Ten Hag could mix this up a bit and include a younger player, as has been the case for weeks.
Written by Paul
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