Beautiful clash anticipated in the FA Cup final: Can Manchester United halt City's treble ambitions? Can they contain Haaland? The historical significance between Manchester City and Manchester United adds allure to the 189th Manchester derby, which also marks the 142nd FA Cup final.










The encounter at Wembley on Saturday will witness Premier League champions City striving to secure a treble of league, FA Cup, and Champions League titles, while United aims to clinch their 13th FA Cup and complete a domestic cup double after winning the Carabao Cup earlier this year against Newcastle.

Additionally, the local rivalry intensifies as City and United meet in a major final for the first time. United, under manager Erik ten Hag, enter the game as underdogs despite their recent victory over City in the Premier League and their favorable performance in recent cup matches. City not only stands as favorites against United but also as potential contenders to replicate the 1999 treble achieved solely by United among English teams.

Can United defy the odds, or will City move closer to the treble? Here are the key factors in this highly-anticipated FA Cup final.

Is this truly the most significant FA Cup final ever?










Without club biases, this final holds immense importance and garners global attention. Comparatively, it's challenging to pinpoint any previous final that carries the same weight and global intrigue. In the 1980s, Liverpool and Everton dominated English football, leading to two Merseyside derbies in the FA Cup final in 1986 and 1989, both won by Liverpool. However, those finals lacked the prospect of a treble or a double for either team. While United and Arsenal, as well as Liverpool and Chelsea, have had heavyweight encounters in recent years, this final encompasses all aspects.

United aims to conclude the season with two trophies, securing both domestic cups in the same campaign. Simultaneously, they strive to prevent City from achieving the treble. This motivation stems not only from local pride but also from the fact that United's treble in 1999 stands as a unique accomplishment among English teams, one they are reluctant to share with anyone, especially City. Conversely, City is determined to overcome United on their path to the treble. Accomplishing the treble itself would be satisfying, but defeating United in the penultimate stage would add sweetness to the achievement for Pep Guardiola and his players.

Has Manchester United prevented a club from achieving the treble before?

Indeed, in 1977, United faced Liverpool in the FA Cup final and thwarted their traditional rivals from securing the treble, 22 years before United accomplished it under Sir Alex Ferguson. Liverpool had just been crowned league champions and subsequently won the club's first European Cup, defeating Borussia Monchengladbach in Rome four days after the FA Cup final. However, United's 2-1 victory at Wembley denied Liverpool the distinction of becoming the first English team to secure the treble.

Similarly, in 1985, United defeated league champions Everton in the FA Cup final, preventing them from achieving a treble comprising the league, FA Cup, and European Cup-Winners' Cup.

Where would a United victory rank among notable upsets?



This question pertains to the present, considering City's decade-long dominance in Manchester. United has not finished above their city rivals in the Premier League since their last title win in 2013. In terms of trophies won since then, City holds a significant advantage with 13 compared to United's 4.

City's recent supremacy has altered the dynamics of the rivalry, despite United's overall historical success and stature. Therefore, labeling a United victory on Saturday as an upset may undermine their tradition and history. Nonetheless, City stands as strong favorites, and a United win