Ten Hag explains why he is starting Fred against Man City in the FA Cup final

Erik ten Hag has explained his reasons for starting Fred in midfield during the FA Cup final.

With Manchester United due to take on Manchester City in the FA Cup final at Wembley Stadium on Saturday afternoon, the line-ups have been confirmed.

Pep Guardiola is starting second-choice goalkeeper Stephan Ortega, while Erik ten Hag has started Marcus Rashford up front and Fred in midfield.

It is a fixture which sees United attempt to win their second trophy of the season, while City are aiming to win the second instalment of a historic treble.

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In doing so, City are attempting to become only the second-ever English club to win a treble, after Manchester United themselves did so in 1999.

Speaking on why he is starting Fred, Erik ten Hag told MUTV: “Midfield is always the key area, but it’s not only about that – you will see in the game.

“Fred, you know his capacities, he is really good in stopping players, really good in winning balls.

“We will not always have possession, we didn’t in the last match at Old Trafford against them (Man City). but we dominated the game by creating more chances, creating more final entries, creating more shots, more shots on target. So that is what we have to look for also in this game.”