The anticipation surrounding the FA Cup final is reaching fever pitch as Manchester United prepares to take on the challenge at Wembley Stadium, driven by the desire to avenge their defeat from the previous year.
Last June, the showdown between Manchester’s two football giants ended with Manchester City claiming victory over Manchester United in the season’s climactic match. The game was ignited by a stunning effort from Ilkay Gundogan, the former Manchester City captain, who delivered a spectacular goal past David de Gea, setting an early tone for his team.
Despite this early setback, Manchester United managed to level the playing field by halftime, thanks to a successful penalty kick converted by Bruno Fernandes. However, six minutes into the second half, Gundogan once again made his mark, scoring the decisive goal that ensured Manchester City’s triumph.
As the teams gear up for this year’s FA Cup final at Wembley Stadium on Saturday, both Manchester United and Manchester City are grappling with injury issues. These concerns add another layer of tension and unpredictability to the already highly anticipated match.
Since their last encounter, Gundogan has moved on from the Etihad Stadium. Nevertheless, Manchester City approaches the rematch with confidence, seemingly untroubled by his absence. In preparation for the final, MEN Sport has delved into the latest injury reports for both squads to assess who might be sidelined for the crucial fixture.
For Manchester United, the injury situation is quite troubling, with at least three key players likely to miss the final. Tyrell Malacia, who has been out of action for the entire season due to an injury, was notably absent from practice on Wednesday. Luke Shaw and Harry Maguire, both recently named to the provisional England squad, are also dealing with muscular injuries and were absent as they focus on recovery ahead of the European Championships. Maguire himself has expressed uncertainty about his readiness for the final, describing his fitness as “touch and go.”
On a more positive note, there have been encouraging signs from Carrington, Manchester United’s training ground, where three players have resumed their training routines. Mason Mount, Victor Lindelof, and Anthony Martial were all spotted participating in midweek sessions. Martial, who has been sidelined since January, is particularly eager as Saturday may represent his last chance to play for Manchester United this season. Lindelof has been recovering from a prolonged muscular injury and missed the recent victory over Brighton, while Mount has been managing a minor issue. It remains uncertain which, if any, of these players will be fit enough to feature in the final.
Turning to Manchester City’s injury news, the situation is somewhat less dire but still concerning. The most significant confirmed absence is goalkeeper Ederson, who suffered an eye socket fracture in an unusual collision with Cristian Romero of Tottenham Hotspur last week. Despite his desire to play, manager Pep Guardiola has ruled him out for the final, with Stefan Ortega expected to step in as his replacement.
Another key player in doubt for City is Jack Grealish, who has been sidelined since the match against Fulham due to an injury. Although he has been listed as an unused substitute in recent games, his readiness for the Wembley showdown remains uncertain, adding another element of suspense to the team’s preparations.
As the final approaches, both Manchester United and Manchester City must navigate these injury challenges, making strategic adjustments to their lineups. The outcome of the match may hinge not only on tactical prowess and individual brilliance but also on which team better manages to cope with their absences and who can rise to the occasion on this grand stage. The stage is set for a thrilling and fiercely contested FA Cup final at Wembley Stadium.