Three key talking points ahead of Manchester United vs Man City (FA Cup final)

Manchester United vs Manchester City. FA Cup final. A potential treble on the line.

The FA Cup final between Manchester United and Manchester City on Saturday afternoon is set to be the climax of what has been an intense season of domestic football in England.

With Erik ten Hag looking to win the second trophy of his Manchester United career and Pep Guardiola looking to secure a historic treble with his Man City team, the scene of the fixture is set in stone.

Read More: “I don’t want that” – Gary Neville asks for Manchester United FA Cup final change to midfield

Here are three talking points ahead of the tie.

#1 – Same Manchester derby, a new context

This fixture will be the first time in history that Manchester United and Manchester City have met in the FA Cup final.

It represents a new first for the two rivals, who have gone toe-to-toe on two occasions already this season, with City triumphing in a 6-3 victory at the Etihad in October before United snatched revenge with a late 2-1 win at Old Trafford in February.

Man City have won the competition six times, whilst United have 12 FA Cup trophies in their cabinet.

#2 – A new piece of history for Manchester United

Earlier this season, Manchester United became the first English club to win a trophy in 2023 after they defeated Newcastle United 2-0 in the Carabao Cup final at Wembley Stadium in February.

The FA Cup final represents a chance for Erik ten Hag to win a second trophy during his inaugural season as a Red Devil manager.

Should United defeat their cross-town rivals at Wembley Stadium, it will represent the first time the club have won both English domestic cup trophies in a season.

#3 – Stopping City in their tracks

An undeniable talking point ahead of this fixture is that the FA Cup final represents part two of Manchester City’s three-part quest to secure their first-ever famed treble.

Having clinched the Premier League title over Arsenal, United are their next opponents in their trophy hunt, before they face Inter Milan in the Champions League final next weekend.

Despite the clear focus of the fixture for United being the chance to win a second trophy this season, it will no doubt be playing on their mind that they are in a prime position to stop City from becoming the second English team to win a treble after United themselves.