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Manchester United will take on Manchester City in the 143rd FA Cup final later on today.
Saying the side from Old Trafford has had a problematic season is a huge understatement.
A plethora of on and off-field issues have plagued the team all season but they will be hoping that this can all be forgotten for just one afternoon when they aim to wrestle the FA Cup trophy away from their cross-city rivals.
The two teams have played one another 192 times, with United coming out on top 78 times and City 61 in history.
This is also the first time that two league managers have gone head-to-head against one another in more than one FA Cup final, excluding replays, after City beat United 2-1 last year.
In what promises to be a thrilling day, here are some storylines to look forward to.
Can United win the FA Cup for a 13th time?
The Red Devils are the second most successful team in FA Cup history with 12 overall wins and are only behind Arsenal’s record of 14.
However, United have not tasted success since beating Crystal Palace in 2016, when Jesse Lingard fired in a later winner in extra-time.
Since then there have been two narrow final losses, the one to City last season and a 1-0 loss to Antonio Conte’s Chelsea in 2018.
Whilst an FA Cup victory will not transform this season into a success, it would mean two trophies in two years and qualification for the Europa League next season.
Demonstrating how rapidly modern football changes, only Antony Martial and Marcus Rashford were a part of the squad who last won the FA Cup in 2016. The Frenchman was not seen travelling down with the rest of the squad yesterday, so he is unlikely to play a part in what will be his last ever game as a United player.
Will this be Erik ten Hag’s final game in charge?
It is the question that nobody wants to talk about before a cup final but it would be naive to suggest it isn’t the biggest news story around the club.
In the last couple of days there has been a huge amount of breaking news reporting that the club have already taken a decision to part ways with the coach, even if the Red Devils win the match.
The manager has already stated in his pre-match press conference that he needs no assurances about his job but in all honesty, he has looked on his last legs for quite some time.
This situation will cast many fans’ minds back to 2016 when Louis van Gaal was unceremoniously sacked the day after his cup final victory.
There is no doubt that the outside world will be paying more attention to this than the result of the cup final itself.
If it is to be Ten Hag’s last act as United manager, he will hope to go out with a bang and hold on to the fact he won a piece of silverware in both his seasons at Old Trafford.
Will Casemiro get the nod to start?
The Brazilian has had a torrid season this year and he has been asked to play the unfamiliar role of centre back the last few weeks, exacerbating his problems on the field.
He has already paid the price for his form as he won’t be going to COPA America with Brazil this summer and it is said that INEOS are keen to move him and his huge wages out of the club this window.
However, with Lisandro Martinez and Raphael Varane likely to be fit enough to start, Casemiro could return to his more familiar holding role in midfield.
Although, there have been reports that Casemiro may actually be dropped in what could potentially be his last match for United.
This is due to Ten Hag being impressed with Sofyan Amrabat’s performances in the last three matches.
The Moroccan has had a terrible loan spell where he has barely played except this last month. Playing him instead of Casemiro seems like a huge gamble but perhaps Ten Hag is considering the energy the Moroccan can bring to the midfield.
This was demonstrated in an incredible chase back and sliding block that prevented Alexander Isak a goal at Old Trafford against Newcastle United a week and a half ago.
However, Amrabat’s poor control, technique and passing for Premier League standard could be somewhat of a catastrophe against City’s excellent pressing.
Fans will be counting down the hours before the final match of the English 2023/2024 season arrives and United supporters hope they will be the ones smiling this evening and not their bitter rivals.
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