While all eyes in Scotland on Saturday will be on Celtic taking on theRangers in the first ever Glasgow Derby Scottish Cup Final, just over 400 miles south of Hampden Park, there’s also a Manchester Derby in the FA Cup Final at Wembley.
There’s plenty to come on The Celtic Star about the Scottish Cup Final but before that let’s have a quick look at the showpiece match at Wembley and information on how to buy tickets to the FA Cup Final between Manchester City v Manchester United.
The FA Cup Final: a Manchester Derby
The FA Cup is one of football’s oldest competitions which has been played in England since its creation in 1871. Currently, 43 different teams from England, including one from Wales, have proudly won the cup competition to lift the FA Cup.
Surprisingly very few of the finals in FA Cup history have resulted in a derby final. The 2024 FA Cup Final, which is taking place this Saturday 25 May, will mark the tournament’s 14th Derby final as holders Manchester City play against their near neighbours, Manchester United.
It is safe to say that both of these teams have had their fair share of FA Cup experience, with Manchester United winning the competition 12 times and appearing in the final a whopping (by English standards) 21 times.
Manchester City on the other hand have had less success in the competition, only winning it seven times. With that being said, Manchester City are the current holders of the FA Cup, after coming off of their fantastic treble winning season last year, which saw them winning the Premier League, the FA Cup, and the Champions league.
Furthermore, Manchester City have been asserting their domestic dominance in the later stage of this seasons Premier League campaign, winning the league against West Ham on Sunday to secure the Premier League title for a fourth consecutive season, while Celtic is currently one behind on three in a row.
All on the line
Yet both Manchester teams have something to prove in this final. Manchester United have undoubtably had a rocky season, with several questionable results which has caused them to finish in 8th place in the Premier League, a massive 31 points behind their Manchester neighbours. However, a win in the FA Cup final would firstly bring the reward of silverware to United and allow them to edge closer to Arsenal’s record of 14 FA Cup wins. Secondly, by winning the FA Cup, United will be rewarded with a place in the Europa League next season.
On the flip side, after Manchester City’s performance last season, and the subsequent crash out of the Champions League this season, many of the City fans will be keen to maintain a double this season, through the Premier League and the FA Cup. City will be strong favourites but this is cup football and anything can happen.
The way Manchester United got past Coventry in the semi-final suggests that their name could be on the famous old trophy around 5pm on Saturday afternoon.
A mini series on The Celtic Star looking at major cup finals and tournaments in May and over the summer. Still to come, the Champions League Final, the Scottish Cup Final and Euro 2024.
