The Red Devils will be huge underdogs at Wembley, but they have the tools to end their neighbours' treble quest
"I am sure that these players will give everything to beat Manchester City next week. We count on you as well. With you on our back, I am sure we have a really good chance to take the cup back to Old Trafford."
Erik ten Hag fired up the Manchester United crowd with a spine-tingling speech on the Old Trafford turf after his side's last game of the Premier League season against Fulham on Sunday. The fans believe that the Dutchman can deliver a second trophy of the campaign in the FA Cup final, despite the fact United will be coming up against the best team in Europe.
Manchester City are bidding to become only the second side in English football history to win the treble, after United back in 1998-99. They will be overwhelming favourites at Wembley on June 3 and in their Champions League final clash against Inter seven days later, and rightly so. Pep Guardiola has built a winning machine, with world-class players in every position. Bayern Munich, Real Madrid, Arsenal and United themselves have been among City's victims during their march towards this enviable position.
United were battered 6-3 at the Etihad Stadium back in October as Erling Haaland and Phil Foden both helped themselves to hat-tricks. City were superior to their arch-rivals that day, but it was a different story at Old Trafford in January.
Ten Hag's side proved they can mix it with City during a hard-fought 2-1 triumph, and they must follow a similar blueprint to upset the odds at Wembley next week. United have had a good season – but it will become a great one if they can spoil City's party.
Getty ImagesBully Haaland
City have achieved a new level of dominance on both domestic and European fronts this season thanks to Haaland, who has proven to be the bargain of the century since his £51 million switch from Borussia Dortmund.
The Norwegian robot has scored a staggering 52 goals in 51 games for City already this season and has six hat-tricks to his name, including his treble against United at the Etihad. If Haaland is given enough space, he will score, it's a simple as that.
One of the few men that has been able to keep the 22-year-old on a short leash is Luke Shaw, who was deployed as a makeshift centre-back when United played City at home. The Englishman produced a colossal performance alongside Raphael Varane as Ten Hag opted for four at the back, with Tyrell Malacia covering Shaw's usual position at left-back.
Haaland barely had a sniff of goal as Shaw hustled and harried him at every opportunity. The United defender even managed to beat the striker in a series of aerial battles as City pushed for an equaliser in the closing minutes of the game, despite being the far shorter man.
Thanks to Shaw's aggression, Haaland failed to register a single shot on target and only managed to touch the ball 19 times over the course of the 90 minutes. His performance in the heart of the backline came as a surprise to most onlookers, but not Ten Hag.
"It was a big decision but I think when you analyse the profile of Haaland and the combination with [Kevin] De Bruyne it was the right decision," said the United boss. "Luke has the physical power to compete with them and also has the tactical view to make the right decision and technical skills to play in that position."
Ten Hag would be wise to put Shaw on Haaland marking duties once again at Wembley. He's proved he can bully Haaland once already, and keeping him quiet again will be essential to their chances of victory.
AdvertisementGettyHave faith in Sancho
Jadon Sancho's second season at United has been equally as underwhelming as his first, there is no getting around that. Seven goals and three assists from 40 games is a poor return from a player who was once billed as the brightest young talent in Europe at Borussia Dortmund.
It has even been reported that United could cut their losses on Sancho this summer, amid links with Napoli sensation Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Paris Saint-Germain superstar Neymar. But the 23-year-old may just have saved his Old Trafford career over the last few weeks.
Sancho impressed in each of United's four successive wins to wrap up their Premier League campaign, capping his resurgence with a goal against Fulham on the final day. He is finally playing with a spring in his step again, and could have a huge influence on proceedings if selected to start against City.
"I think Jadon Sancho was one of the players who [has made good] progress in this season. I think it's a good base to build further on," Ten Hag said before the Fulham game. Sancho has certainly come a long way since being exiled from the United squad due to a lack of fitness over the festive period.
When playing to his maximum, Sancho can be a threat to any defence. He's quick, agile and intelligent on the ball, with a penchant for playing incisive passes. Sancho has even managed to win over Paul Scholes in recent weeks. The United legend has been one of the winger's fiercest critics, but he told last week: "I’m a little bit sorry the season has got to end for him, he’s looking fit, he’s looking trim, he’s looking quick and he’s looking confident."
As a former City academy graduate, Sancho is also perfectly placed to derail their treble ambitions. Saturday could be the moment that he finally announces himself as a proper United player.
GettyFollow Rooney's advice
One man who knows exactly what it takes to slay City is Wayne Rooney. United's all-time record goalscorer scored 11 derby goals during his illustrious career at the club, including a sensational overhead kick winner in February 2011.
Rooney, who is currently head coach of D.C. United in MLS, played in one of the Red Devils' greatest teams. He had a key role in their swashbuckling style, linking up with the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Carlos Tevez and Dimitar Berbatov to help finish off sweeping attacks.
United enjoyed great success playing that way under Sir Alex Ferguson, but Rooney feels Ten Hag should follow the blueprint of a certain former Chelsea boss against City. He said in his latest column for "My strategy would be to go the other way and ask City to do something different.
"I’d try something similar to a tactic Jose Mourinho sometimes deployed in his first spell at Chelsea, where he would get the likes of Joe Cole, Arjen Robben and Damien Duff to take up half positions where they didn’t come all the way back and defend when Chelsea were out of possession, but instead cheat a bit and wait higher up the pitch in areas from which they could counter-attack as soon as Chelsea won the ball back.
"We always found it difficult to play against. United could do similar using Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial: defend with eight players and have those two waiting in counterattack positions."
Rooney also suggested a 4-4-2 formation, which might be an outdated option, especially given the fact United would have to rely on misfiring Burnley loanee Wout Weghorst for inspiration in the final third after another untimely injury blow for Martial. But he is onto something with his "cheat" advice.
Ten Hag's side enjoyed success against City playing in a similar manner at Old Trafford as they emerged with three points despite only having 29 percent of the ball. United have the weapons to hurt City if they can exercise patience out of possession once again.
GettyGamble on Antony
United's most recent clash with City might have turned out differently were it not for Antony. The club's £85 million summer signing hasn't been as consistent as supporters might have hoped in his debut season, but he made a huge impact after replacing Martial at half-time against Guardiola's men.
Antony has that classic Brazilian bite in his game, and runs himself into the ground. His end product might be lacking more often than not, but United are a better team when he is on the pitch.
Which is why it was so worrying to see him stretchered off in tears during United's 4-1 win against Chelsea last week. The outlook certainly didn't look good after he went down under a challenge from Trevoh Chalobah. Ten Hag admitted the injury appeared to be a "serious" one immediately after the game, but was able to deliver a positive update on the 23-year-old at the weekend. Antony's campaign could still end with a final hurrah.
"We've all seen how he came off and didn't look great," Ten Hag told . "But the first assessment is not too bad and a good opportunity he is available for the cup final next week."
Even if Antony is not 100% fit by the end of the week, the United boss should take a gamble and start him at Wembley. If City come out of the blocks quickly, Ten Hag's troops will need to be disciplined and resolute to weather the storm. Antony has provided much-needed defensive support for Aaron Wan-Bissaka on the right flank this term, and his presence could be vital once again. He is also capable of making a decisive contribution at the other end of the pitch.
The only plus point from United's thrashing away at City was Antony's stunning 25-yard consolation goal, which showed just how devastating he can be when given room to let fly on his left foot. A moment of magic such as that might just be needed to separate the two sides on Saturday.