One match is all that remains of Erik ten Hag’s first season as Manchester United manager and therefore he has just one starting XI left to decide.
There are notable injuries for Ten Hag to cope with: Anthony Martial has been ruled out with a hamstring injury and Lisandro Martinez is not expected to be back until later in the summer after injuring his metatarsal against Sevilla. Antony is also not expected to be in the starting XI after sustaining an ankle injury in the 4-1 victory over Chelsea.
Advertisement
So who does Ten Hag pick? Does he go toe-to-toe with City, or pick his team to try to counteract their key strengths?
Our Manchester United experts give their opinion of who should get the nod…
Elsewhere on The Athletic…
- When Budweiser tried to take Wembley FC to FA Cup glory
- What is the most important FA Cup final of all time?
- How far Garnacho can go at Man United will be down to him
There is a debate to be had over the right-back slot, with Diogo Dalot starting the season strongly. But he had a difficult time at Wembley against Newcastle and Aaron Wan-Bissaka’s one-on-one defensive skills will be very useful against City’s attackers, most probably Jack Grealish. Wan-Bissaka managed to largely repel Kaoru Mitoma in the FA Cup semi-final. The rest of the defence picks itself, with Victor Lindelof doing well in recent weeks.
It could be argued that Christian Eriksen rotates for Fred, given the need for high energy in midfield, but the Dane’s record when starting alongside Casemiro and Bruno Fernandes means those three should all be in the XI. They have started 24 games together and won 19, drawn four, and lost one.
The switch could come further up, with Fred operating as a No 10 who disrupts Rodri at the base of City’s midfield and breaks into the box in the way he did for the equalising goal against Fulham on Sunday. It would replicate the approach against City in January when Fernandes played on the right wing as United won 2-1. Fernandes also operated there in the 1-0 win over Aston Villa when Marcel Sabitzer played the role of mobile No 10.
Jadon Sancho is picking up form and is said to prefer playing on the left — whatever the ideas about his work on the right — while having Marcus Rashford up top would keep City’s high line honest. Getting his runs in behind right will be crucial to United’s chances.
That leaves Alejandro Garnacho to come on as a dangerous substitute and Wout Weghorst to press any tiring limbs in the City backline and grab a late winner.
Score prediction: Manchester City 0-1 Manchester United
United are underdogs. City won more points in the league, scored more goals and put six past United at the Etihad.
The defence misses Lisandro Martinez’s aggression, but Lindelof has earned his place at centre-half after several solid performances. Shaw is the best left-back at the club, though Tyrell Malacia had one of his best games against City at Old Trafford against Riyad Mahrez. On the other side, Wan-Bissaka is a solid tackler and is showing improvement on the ball, too.
Advertisement
Antony Martial being out is a shame; one of his best games came against City away from Old Trafford, but he’s always injured, sadly. I wouldn’t be surprised if Ten Hag went for Weghorst centrally, a strong reference point in the transition to hold the ball up and lay it off to help United progress the counter-attack.
Rashford’s threat is also needed on the left since the space behind City’s full-backs is key. If it’s not working, bring the fearless Garnacho on.
Let’s assume United go for a 4-2-3-1 rather than something more elaborate with Fernandes as a false nine and split strikers. So, Fred over Eriksen for this one. The Dane is more technical but the Brazilian has the legs and mobility that will be needed for a team who are going to be out of possession for long periods. Fred needs to fill spaces and track players, he also has more bite than a piranha, but he’s got to focus on not giving the ball away.
Sancho has improved, though not to the levels expected when he signed. He’s precisely the type of player United need to perform. Him doing that against his former club would be a huge boost to his confidence. As would Harry Maguire coming off the bench to head a last-minute winner.
Score prediction: Please don’t do this to me.
Regardless of the starting team Ten Hag opts for, Manchester United are not favourites for this game and they will be up against it from the first whistle to the final one.
Martial’s absence with a hamstring injury means Rashford needs to lead the line against Manchester City. The FA Cup final is not a match to be starting Weghorst.
This, coupled with doubts regarding Antony’s fitness, is why I’ve gone with Garnacho on the left. While the 18-year-old has been most effective coming off the bench this season, he would give Manchester City something to think about in a way Weghorst would not.
The pace of Sancho, Garnacho and Rashford would leave City susceptible to the counter-attack, which may be United’s best chance of getting a win as Pep Guardiola’s side will no doubt dominate the ball.
Casemiro and Eriksen pick themselves in midfield, although you could easily make an argument for starting either Fred or Scott McTominay alongside Casemiro instead.
Advertisement
At the back, there are no questions over who starts in goal. I’d have Shaw and Raphael Varane as the two central defenders — they were exceptional when they beat City in January. So, yes, this means I’d go with Lindelof and Wan-Bissaka playing in the full-back positions. A little bit of unpredictability might be just what is needed.
Score prediction: Manchester City 4-1 Manchester United
At this point, the back four picks itself. There is maybe a choice to be made between Wan-Bissaka or Dalot, but even if we’re discounting Wan-Bissaka’s generally solid form over the past few months, this is the type of game where his superior one-on-one defending wins out regardless.
The more interesting debates come further up the pitch. Fred has to play for his energy out of possession. Up top, with Martial out and doubt over Antony, I’d shift Fernandes to the right and have him drop back in to make a midfield four when United don’t have the ball. Rashford and Garnacho offer the counter-attacking threat.
That is slightly harsh on Sancho, who will hope his bright contributions in the closing pair of wins at Old Trafford earn him a starting place, particularly given United’s absences in attack. It is also putting a good deal of faith in Garnacho, whose best performances have come as an impact substitute.
But this is essentially the line-up that beat City back in January, only with Garnacho in for Martial, Shaw shifting to left-back and Lindelof replacing Malacia. Ten Hag set United up well that day but still needed a slice of luck to come away with three points against an out-of-sorts City. They are a different animal now but a setup like this is still United’s best bet.
Score prediction: Manchester City 2-1 Manchester United
Martial’s injury could prove to be a blessing in disguise for Ten Hag as it means Fernandes is likely to play out wide with Rashford leading the line in a central role.
Rashford’s pace will trouble City’s central defenders while Fernandes can track back to help Wan-Bissaka in his battle with Grealish.
Advertisement
Fred should start in the No 10 role as that would allow the energetic Brazilian to press City’s defence high up the pitch.
Garnacho can change the game from the bench when City’s defence begins to tire, while Ten Hag will be hoping Antony can return from injury to also make a cameo appearance.
Score prediction: Manchester City 1-1 Manchester United (United to win on penalties)
(Top photo: Alex Livesey/Getty Images)