FA Cup final: Manchester derby between City and Red Devils

FA Cup final

WEMBLEY – The English FA Cup season 2022/23 completed the semi final last weekend, to produce the two teams featured in the final on 3rd June.

On 22nd April, Manchester City hailed a victory easily at Wembley Stadium, advanced into the final by beating Sheffield United 3-0.

The Blue Moons gave no surprise to the opponent from the EFL Championship league, eliminated them with a hat-trick from Riyad Mahrez.

The Premier League giant was apparently much stronger than The Blades, sending most of their main players as first line-up including Erling Haaland, Jack Grealish and Ilkay Gundogan, but the Algerian stole the show with a brilliant performance.

Now, Pep Guardiola’s squad stands a chance to win a total of three championships this season, along with the EPL and the UEFA Champions League.

Man United thrilling win through penalties

On Sunday, Manchester United booked a ticket to stage the Manchester derby against the Cities, by knocking Brighton and Hove Albion out through penalty shootout at the same venue.

Both teams showed their tough defence while wasting several attempts within 90 minutes and the extra time, pushing the game to a penalty shootout after two hours of battle.

Both the Red Devils and the Seagulls’ players scored their shots after six rounds, making the score equalised as 5-5 in the live-and-dead phase.

In the seventh round, Brighton’s Solly March got his shot wide, and Victor Lindelof acted as United’s hero by kicking the ball into the net.

Erik ten Hag is now aiming to bring his squad’s thirteenth FA Cup trophy in club history, but facing a formidable challenge to fight against their great rival who is also six times winner.

More injuries for United

Although Manchester United is only one more step away from their second title this season, they are suffering players injuries which have added a new member.

In the semi final, Bruno Fernandes was injured on his right leg, leaving the pitch before the extra time finished.

This is certainly upsetting news for the Red Devils as they might lose the Portuguese playmaker in this crucial time at the late phase of this season.

The club vice captain will probably miss the clash with Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League matchday 33 this Thursday.

Beside Bruno, United has almost a total of eight players in recovery, including Raphael Varane, Lisandro Martinez, Alejandro Garnacho and Scott McTominay.

Upcoming: EPL matchday 33

The English Premier League matchday 33 will be played this Tuesday to Thursday.

The epic rivalry between Manchester City and Arsenal on 27th April at Etihad Stadium is the most focused battle even for this entire season.

The clash of the first and second placed teams might decide the EPL champion this season.

The Gunners are leading the table with five points ahead of the Cities but two more games played. This means if both clubs won their other matches remaining, the winner in this Thursday’s battle will see the EPL number one at the end of this season next month.