Six days after winning their fourth consecutive Premier League title, Manchester City will look to lift another trophy when they square off against Manchester United in the FA Cup Final at Wembley Stadium on Saturday.
How did each side get here?
After getting a bye through the first two rounds and slaughtering, at the time, EFL Championship side Huddersfield 5-0 in the third round, Manchester City got a scare in the fourth round against Tottenham. The game looked destined to go to extra time, but in the 88th minute, Nathan Aké pounced on a loose ball off a Kevin De Bruyne corner and slotted it home to give Manchester City a 1-0 victory.
The blue and white cruised through the next two rounds, defeating Luton Town 6-2 and Newcastle 2-0 before getting another scare in the semi-finals, this time courtesy of Chelsea. Bernardo Silva would be the hero as the 29-year-old’s side-footed shot in the 84th minute beat Djordje Petrovic and punched Manchester City’s spot in the finals.
Manchester United also received a bye through the first two rounds before defeating EFL League One side Wigan Athletic 2-0 in the third round and EFL League Two side Newport County 4-2 in the fourth round. The Red Devils got a scare in the fifth round from Nottingham Forrest. After a scoreless first 88 minutes, Casemiro headed in a low bouncing free kick from Bruno Fernandes right in front of the net to give the red and yellow the 1-0 victory.
Manchester United then had a thrilling match sixth round match against Liverpool. The Red Devils came from behind twice to tie the game courtesy of an 87th-minute strike by Antony before Marcus Rashford made up for missing a sitter in regulation time to tie the game in the 112th minute.
In the 121st minute, Alejandro Garnacho would set up Amad Diallo, and the Ivory Coast international would make no mistake to secure the 4-3 Red Devils victory. After doing the upsetting, Manchester United would nearly be upset by EFL Championship side Coventry City in the semi-finals. After going up 3-0, the Sky Blues would score three goals in 26 minutes, capped by a Haji Wright penalty to force extra time.
Following a scoreless 30 minutes of extra time, the red and yellow overcame Casemiro’s missed first penalty, as André Onana made two saves in the shootout to send the Red Devils to the finals.
Manchester City vs. Manchester United: The X-Factor
The x-factor in this matchup is not a player but a mentality: Manchester United’s desperation mentality.
The Red Devils are coming off another disappointing campaign and need a victory to have a spot in European competition next season. Manchester United are also looking to avenge last year’s 2-1 defeat in the FA Cup final by Manchester City.
Manchester City will need to match Manchester United’s energy. If they can do that, the blue and white will be in a great position to become the first English club to win the domestic double in back-to-back seasons.
Kick-off is scheduled for 10 a.m. EST.