Man Utd need to win the FA Cup final to be in Europe next season but they have their work cut out against Manchester City at Wembley.
Erling Haaland has already caused United plenty of problems this season
Manchester City are overwhelming favourites to win a second successive domestic double by repeating last year’s FA Cup final triumph against Manchester United.
Pep Guardiola’s side completed the second leg of a treble a year ago in winning this game 2-1 but on the evidence of this season they are expected to run out more comfortable winners on Saturday. United finished 31 points behind City in the Premier League table.
Erik ten Hag’s team have had difficulties all season and the Blues won the two league derbies by a combined score of 6-1. United have had an injury crisis for much of the campaign but they have also displayed some glaring weaknesses which will make City confident of another Wembley win.
The midfield gap
United’s biggest issue has been flagged countless times this season but they have continued to give up too much space in midfield, which is one of the key reasons for giving up the number of shots they do in games.
City have had 47 shots in their two league derbies this season and the clean sheet at Brighton was only United’s second in 14 games in all competitions. They have been too easy to play against.
A lot of that has been down to fielding a deep defence and a front line pressing high, with midfielders getting ahead of the ball. In the chaos, the centre of the pitch has been wide open. Play like that on Saturday and City could have a field day.
It is an area United have improved in ever so slightly recently, with Sofyan Amrabat making a difference. If he makes way for the return of another natural central defender, with Casemiro pushed back into midfield, City will be licking their lips.
Casemiro’s legs
There could be a number of farewells in the United camp this weekend and Casemiro has to be a candidate to be playing his final game for the club. Recent displays against Newcastle and Brighton have been more encouraging but there is a sense Ineos are ready to move on from big contracts like the one the Brazilian is on.
United’s style of play has left him badly exposed at times this season and if he is isolated again then City have the quality to punish him. If he plays at centre-back, Erling Haaland is sure to fancy his chances against him.
Casemiro could return to midfield and if that is the case then Kevin De Bruyne and Phil Foden will look to target the space he often has around him. The 32-year-old won’t be confident of stopping them both on his own.
Full-back weakness
The absence of a natural left-back has hampered United all season and one of Diogo Dalot or Aaron Wan-Bissaka will again fill that role at Wembley.
Guardiola will probably use Bernardo Silva on the right and his desire to come infield and link play won’t necessarily cause either of those right-footed left-backs a problem.
But City might look to get success by again using Kyle Walker in a high and wide position, especially if United’s left-winger – likely to be Alejandro Garnacho – isn’t keen on tracking the Blues’ flying right-back.