Manchester City take on Manchester United this weekend in the FA Cup final, with both teams sweating on injuries to key players.
This is the final domestic game of the 2023/24 campaign, live on talkSPORT, and it’s set to be a great showpiece event between two inner-city rivals.
Pep Guardiola‘s men need to win this game to seal the domestic double and follow up on their incredible treble last year.
Meanwhile, Erik ten Hag‘s side must secure victory to salvage some form of European football after finishing eighth in the Premier League.
Man City
City are going to be without Ederson for the game at Wembley.
The Brazilian suffered a concussion and fractured eye socket after a nasty collision with Tottenham defender Cristian Romero earlier this month.
That means Stefan Ortega will start in goal, although as the club’s domestic cup goalkeeper, he likely would have done so even if Ederson were fit.
Kyle Walker will be at right-back, and Josko Gvardiol has emerged as the main option at left-back.
In the heart of the defence, Guardiola has to decide who to pair Ruben Dias with.
He has John Stones, Nathan Ake and Manuel Akanji, but given Akanji’s physicality, he might get the nod.
Mateo Kovacic was rested against West Ham, but it wouldn’t be a surprise to see him come back into the team to partner Rodri.
The Croatian and Spaniard have developed an excellent understanding in the Man City engine room.
The front four basically picks itself, with Erling Haaland leading the line.
Kevin De Bruyne will be deployed as the No.10, with Phil Foden and Bernardo Silva on either side, meaning Jack Grealish and Jeremy Doku will miss out.
Man United
For Man United, the goalkeeping situation is a little more clear, with Andre Onana set to start.
The lack of an actual left-back means Diogo Dalot will most likely be there, with Aaron Wan-Bissaka on the other side.
It’s been a while since Ten Hag had options in the heart of defence, but he has Raphael Varane, Lisandro Martinez and Harry Maguire fit.
Given that Varane and Martinez were successful together last year, it would be a shock if United chose any other combination.
Kobbie Mainoo has impressed since his introduction to the first team and will take one of the two central midfield spots.
Then it’s between Casemiro and Sofyan Amrabat, but given the former’s recent form, Amrabat should get the nod.
Bruno Fernandes is likely to be in his more natural position, just behind the striker, who should be Rasmus Hojlund.
On either wing, there are plenty of options.
Marcus Rashford is now fit and will surely want to prove Gareth Southgate wrong for dropping him from England’s Euro 2024 squad.
He also scored an incredible goal against Man City earlier this year and will most likely be on the left.
This means Alejandro Garnacho should swap to the right, meaning Amad Diallo and Antony miss out.
