The FA Cup Manchester Derby Final: Our Prediction and Thoughts
The 2022/23 season is ending, and we’re here for the action and enjoyable moments. We’ve seen many ups and downs with different teams doing the opposite of what we expect. Undoubtedly, this season’s exciting period is upon us, and we can look forward to what is coming.
The FA Cup this season has been exciting, and we wouldn’t want to have it another way. The final is set for an epic battle as the best two Manchester teams go head-to-head in Wembley for the first time in a few years. It looks like an incredible matchup for sports betting fans, as both teams want to win the trophy and increase their trophy count.
Manchester City looks like they will be having the best season in the club’s history. Meanwhile, Manchester United will want to make it 2-in-2 at Wembley this season. As a result, we’re in for an incredible ride. Both teams have something to play for, and we’re looking forward to an incredible ride.
Pep Guardiola has taken Manchester City to heights, and the team has flourished under him. City has become the favorite to win the league every season with Pep. When they don’t, it is almost always close. As a result, this City team will be the favorite as they face their biggest rivals in one of the most brutal matches of the season.
On the other hand, Manchester United hasn’t been as good as they were under Sir Alex Ferguson. The team has been a shadow of themselves, and since 2017, they’ve only won one title, which was the Carabao Cup they won this season against Newcastle United. So, this is a road to redemption.
So, who will come out on top and get the oldest trophy in English football? We are looking at an epic brewing battle, and undoubtedly, we will witness what happens on the 3rd of June, 2023.
The Manchester City Team and Hope for Treble
Manchester City has been on an upward trajectory since Pep Guardiola moved from Bayern Munich to England in 2016. The team has become a force to reckon with, and undoubtedly, they’ve delivered at the highest level. As a result, they’ve broken various records and pushed beyond the bounds of the English Premier League.
Before now, teams could win the league with at least 80 points, but Man City’s Pep has changed everything. Liverpool has been one of the biggest victims of this incredible team. So, in England, it is Manchester City at the top of the pile and favorite list. So, going into this game, we expect them to remain favorites.
Aside from adding another trophy to their collection, Manchester City is gunning for the treble, and winning the FA Cup is part of the list. They are looking forward to getting something from the game and ensuring they have a shot at Manchester United’s treble record, further fostering the rivalry between both teams.
In that case, we expect the team to come with their guns blazing. They have all the resources to win the title, but playing against their city rivals in a final is a different ball game requiring some incredible work. Nevertheless, it is not impossible for the team to deliver as they continue to have a top-notch season.
Manchester United Under Ten Hag
After Sir Alex Ferguson retired, Manchester United has been a below-part team. Although they’ve won a few trophies, especially under Jose Mourinho’s era, the team hasn’t performed up to the standard set during the SAF era. They’ve struggled to dominate teams and competitions. In addition, they’ve had too many below-standard seasons.
As a result, this season under Ten Hag has been a breath of fresh air for the red side of Manchester. The team has become more competitive and is on the verge of getting their second title of the season. Manchester United under Ten Hag has been better than the last few seasons.
They will have to face a more challenging opponent than their Carabao Cup run, but following the incredible battle against Brighton & Hove Albion in the semi-final, we can’t write the team off. They can make it a double this season as they stop Manchester City from getting a treble.
2022-23 Manchester United vs. Manchester City Head-to-Head
City and United have already met twice this season, and both teams have done damage. The first leg was a show of force by the blue side of Manchester. It was early on in the season, and both teams were meeting after the 4-1 thrashing Manchester United got from City at the Etihad. In addition, Erik Ten Hag just got to the league.
The stage was set for a tight matchup, but it quickly went sour when Phil Foden teamed up with Bernardo Silva to open the scoring in the 8th minute. Then, Erling Haaland added salt to the injury by scoring a brace and assisting Foden before the end of the first half. At half-time, the match was 4-0 in favor of City.
The second half started as expected, but Anthony got one back against the run of play. But it wasn’t enough as Foden and Haaland got their hat-trick for the day. In the closing minutes, the game changed as Martial got a brace to make the scoreline 6-3, but it was a little too late, and the harm was already done.
The return match looked like a walk in the park for Manchester City. They dominated the first half, but they couldn’t get a goal. In the second half, Jack Grealish scored to give the visitors the lead, but things changed when VAR allowed Manchester United’s controversial goal to stand, and in the 82nd minute, Marcus Rashford completed the comeback.
With both teams standing at 1-1 in the head-to-head, the FA Cup final will be the tie-breaker. So, we’re in for an incredible ride.
Our Thoughts About the Game
This derby matchup is one to anticipate. Both teams are fighting for something, and the rivalry is at stake. The Red Devils will want to maintain their historical advantage over their city rivals. Meanwhile, Manchester City will want to close the gap. So, it would be an epic battle, but we see Manchester City winning the title.