Manchester United predicted XI to face Man City (FA Cup final)

The biggest game of the season is upon us as Erik ten Hag’s men travel to Wembley to take on Manchester City in what will be the first-ever Manchester Derby FA Cup final.

Manchester United will be out for Wembley glory again after already having secured the Carabao Cup earlier this season but perhaps the bigger satisfaction today will come by stopping the blue half of Manchester from completing a historic treble.

Last time out, United fielded a much-changed side against Fulham with Champions League football already secured so the United boss has no fresh concerns ahead of the final – other than Anthony Martial being ruled out for what feels like the twentieth time this season.

The Premier League Golden Glove winner, David De Gea, will start in goal in what will be his third FA Cup final appearance. The Spaniard started in the win against Crystal Palace in 2016 and the defeat against Chelsea in 2018.

Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Diogo Dalot have shared the right-back spot this season but it should be the former who starts after an impressive resurgence under Ten Hag in recent months.

Raphael Varane and Victor Lindelof have formed an excellent partnership in the absence of Lisandro Martinez and are sure to start together again at Wembley. Luke Shaw will make up the back four after being an unused substitute last weekend.

Erik ten Hag has remained coy on the availability of Antony after he was taken off against Chelsea a couple of weeks ago with what looked like a season-ending injury. Whilst Antony may have travelled with the team, it may feel a little too optimistic for the Brazilian to be ready to start.

That could mean that Bruno Fernandes would start on the right and Fred would join Casemiro and Eriksen in a midfield three. Incidentally, that would be the same midfield that started in the 2-1 win over Manchester City earlier this season, with Bruno Fernandes occupying the right side.

Due to the absence of Anthony Martial, Marcus Rashford is likely to lead the line and Jadon Sancho will make up the attack against his former club.

Although he may be disappointed if he isn’t given a start, Alejandro Garnacho may have the final say to decide which side of Manchester the trophy goes to. The Argentine played a big part in the league fixture against City from the bench in the Premier League and he’ll be eager to do the same again at Wembley.

Full predicted XI

De Gea; Wan-Bissaka, Lindelof, Varane, Shaw; Casemiro, Fred, Eriksen; Fernandes, Rashford, Sancho.