Our prediction for this FA Cup match:
There will be fireworks when Manchester City and Manchester United face each other in the FA Cup final at Wembley on Saturday afternoon. The Citizens did well to defend their Premier League trophy and they are seen as favourites to beat the Red Devils in the FA Cup title game as well. Pep Guardiola rested several first-team regulars in a 1-0 loss to Brentford at the weekend, but all Erling Haaland, Ilkay Gundogan, Rodri, and Bernardo Silva should start against Man Utd, while Kevin De Bruyne, Ruben Dias, and Jack Grealish are major doubts.
The nominal visitors, on the other hand, were more than fortunate to beat Fulham in their last game of the season as Aleksandar Mitrovic failed to double the Cottagers’ lead from the penalty spot. Since Pep Guardiola’s men have been scoring goals for fun of late, home win should be considered. All Sabitzer, Martinez, Heaton and van de Beek are injured for the Old Trafford outfit.
Highlighted Player (Ilkay Gundogan):
Ilkay Gundogan is a German footballer of Turkish origin who made a name for himself playing for Borussia Dortmund. The skilful midfielder began his professional career at VFL Bochum, but it was at Nurnberg that he was given the opportunity to prove his undoubted potential. He needed just two years to make Germany’s top clubs stand up and take notice and the Millionaires secured his signature for mere €4 million.
That would prove to be a great investment as Gundogan quickly slotted straight into the starting line-up and became a playmaker in the side led by Jurgen Klopp and later Thomas Tuchel. The midfield maestro kept being linked with clubs like Manchester United, Barcelona and Arsenal, but he resisted temptation to leave Borussia Dortmund, winning one Bundesliga trophy with the club and making it to the Champions League final.
Gundogan unfortunately missed the 2014 World Cup finals through injury, but there is still time for the BVB star to make things right and lift a major international trophy with Germany.
Highlighted Team (Manchester United):
Over the years Manchester United have established themselves as one of the greatest clubs in world football. The Red Devils have won three European Cup (Champions League) trophies and they have clinched no less than 20 Premier League titles.
A number of top-class players were part of Manchester United in the past, but, no doubt, the club’s biggest legend is coach Sir Alex Ferguson, who was in charge of the team for 26 years. During Alex Ferguson’s spell at Old Trafford the club won a number of trophies, but the Red Devils have been struggling in all competitions ever since he retired. Louis van Gaal helped Manchester United win the FA Cup trophy in the 2015/2016 season, with Jese Lingard scoring the winner in the 2-1 triumph over Crystal Palace at Wembley Stadium.
The likes of Bobby Charlton, Paul Scholes, Roy Keane, Ruud van Nistelrooy, Wayne Rooney, Cristiano Ronaldo, George Best and Eric Cantona are the football stars that graced Old Trafford for Manchester United.