Manchester United expected XI as Erik ten Hag makes two FA Cup final risks vs Man City

Erik ten Hag is expected to take two risks as he selects his Manchester United XI to face Man City in the FA Cup final on Saturday afternoon.

Manchester United will be playing their final game of the season as they take on Pep Guardiola‘s Manchester City in the 2024 FA Cup final.

The fixture is a repeat of the 2023 final at Wembley Stadium when Erik ten Hag‘s men fell to a 2-1 defeat at the hands of İlkay Gündoğan. Some claim David de Gea was at fault for the fixture.

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However, this time around, United will have André Onana in goal, with De Gea having left the club for free last summer. Onana has started all but one of United’s fixtures this season.

In front of him, Ten Hag finally has some options at centre-back. While Lisandro Martínez will almost certainly start, who partners with him is up for debate. Raphaël Varane, although he has only played 30 minutes since his return from injury, looks set to be risked for a start in his final game for the club.

The fullback options are still the same. With Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia out, Diogo Dalot is expected to cover at left-back, while Aaron Wan-Bissaka will continue on the right-hand side.

A second risk is expected to be taken in midfield. Sofyan Amrabat has been in good form leading up to the game, but Ten Hag will likely start Casemiro in midfield, partnering Kobbie Mainoo, due to his experience over the years playing in high-stakes finals.

Bruno Fernandes, club captain and newly-crowned Manchester United Player of the Season, will start in the attacking-midfield role. From the five times he has played City, he has only played that position once.

Some big decisions must be made in attack. Rasmus Højlund, who has scored from the bench during his last two appearances, looks set to return to the XI as the striker.

Although Ten Hag has hinted at a start for Marcus Rashford, it is thought that Alejandro Garnacho will start on the left wing. Amad Diallo, who has performed very well in his last three appearances, is expected to start on the right-hand side.

Expected Man United XI

Onana, Wan-Bissaka, Varane, Martínez, Dalot, Casemiro, Mainoo, Fernandes, Amad, Højlund, Garnacho.