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| The FA Cup final is down to the Manchester derby, will United get one over their local rivals this time? (Photo credit: GOAL) |
Like we had it last season, and for the third time this season, the FA Cup final will be a tale of the same city, different stripes, as Manchester United faces local rivals Manchester City.
It wasn’t easy for either side in their semi-finals; the holders had to hold off Chelsea to book their place in the final. It was a tough game, and the tiredness in the Manchester City team was more than obvious, but they got the job done.
Bernardo Silva missed his penalty in the shootout against Real Madrid; it was only fitting that he was the one who slotted home the loose ball that got the Cityzens over the line at Wembley for their chance to retain their FA Cup title.
For Manchester United, they were almost embarrassed at Wembley on Sunday. The Red Devils went three goals up through Scott McTominay, Harry Maguire, and Bruno Fernandes, but, right before their eyes, Coventry City wiped out the lead.
It was looking like déjà vu for fans of the club; they saw their team lose leads against Brentford and Chelsea consecutively. The Sky Blues scored deep into extra time, but VAR chalked it off for offside before the game went into penalties.
Ben Sheaf ballooned his penalty after Casemiro had missed the opener for United, but Rasmus Hojlund scored the decisive one to hand United their back-to-back appearances at Wembley for the FA Cup final next month.
Manchester City is tired; it was written all over their performance against Chelsea. The Blues had few chances to score; Nicolas Jackson missed two clear chances that could have gotten Chelsea in front. Now the Blues must find a way to finish strongly.
With UCL gone, Manchester City only has the league and the FA Cup remaining from their treble defence. Arsenal is on top of the Premier League log, albeit on goal difference, but the champions can usurp them with their game in hand.
The FA Cup final is a repeat of the Manchester derby; twice they have met this season in the league, and twice the Blue Half of Manchester triumphed. City won the FA Cup last season, beating United; the Red Devils must prepare better for this one.
Erik Ten Hag is over the moon about the penalty shootout success, but his place as the manager of the club is in the air. The word on the street is that the INEOUS group will start talking about options; Ten Hag must work hard to fight for his place.