MANCHESTER CITY can take a giant step towards securing the Treble – but they have to overcome fierce rivals Manchester United in the FA Cup final.
For Spanish magician Pep Guardiola, winning brings the chance to move a step closer to a historic Treble and match a feat set by Sir Alex Ferguson in 1999.
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- By Alex Terrell
Who has won the most FA Cups?
United will be hoping to make it THIRTEEN FA Cup triumphs this afternoon and close the gap on Arsenal at the top of the list:
- Arsenal – 14
- Manchester United – 12
- Chelsea, Liverpool, Tottenham – 8
- Aston Villa – 7
- Newcastle United, Manchester City, Blackburn Rovers – 6
- Everton, West Brom, Wanderers* – 5
- Wolverhampton Wanderers, Bolton Wanderers, Sheffield United – 4
- Sheffield Wednesday, West Ham United – 3
- Preston North End, Old Etonians, Portsmouth, Sunderland, Nottingham Forest – 2
- Huddersfield Town, Leicester City, Oxford University, Royal Engineers, Derby County, Leeds United, Southampton, Burnley, Cardiff City, Blackpool, Clapham Rovers, Notts County, Barnsley, Charlton Athletic, Old Carthusians, Blackburn Olympic, Bradford City, Ipswich Town, Coventry City, Wimbledon, Wigan Athletic – 1
FA Cup final odds
- Man City to win 4/7
- Draw 16/5
- Man Utd 4/1
To lift the trophy
- Man City 3/10
- Man Utd 5/2
Odds courtesy of Betfair
Man Utd's away record this season vs top nine
United’s record against the top nine away from home isn’t any better than their local rivals.
The Red Devils failed to win any of their games away from Old Trafford against teams in the top nine of the Premier League
- By Alex Terrell
Manchester City's away record vs top nine clubs this season
Pep Guardiola’s side may be Premier League champions but their record away at teams in the top half of the table doesn’t make for great reading.
City won just one game away from home against top nine teams in the league this season
- By Alex Terrell
How much does the winner get for winning the FA Cup?
The FA's prize fund sees the winner of the final bag £2million, for the match itself.
But they will also cash in increasing sums for winning the previous rounds.
Here is a breakdown of the FA Cup prize money:
- Extra preliminary round winners £1,125
- Extra preliminary round losers £375
- Preliminary round winners £1,444
- Preliminary round losers £481
- First round qualifying winners £2,250
- First round qualifying losers £750
- Second round qualifying winners £3,375
- Second round qualifying losers £1,125
- Third round qualifying winners £5,625
- Third round qualifying losers £1,875
- Fourth round qualifying winners £9,375
- Fourth round qualifying losers £3,125
- First round proper winners £41,000
- Second round proper winners £67,000
- Third round proper winners £105,000
- Fourth round proper winners £120,000
- Fifth round proper winners £225,000
- Quarter-final winners £450,000
- Semi-final winners £1,000,000
- Semi-final losers £500,000
- Final runners-up £1,000,000
- Final winners £2,000,000
Potential star man
Marcus Rashford
He was in red-hot form immediately after the World Cup but has gone somewhat quiet since, with a couple of niggling injuries eating at his form.
But Rashford is a big-game player and will be keen to snatch a domestic Double with a goal or two.
Potential star men
Erling Haaland
How could it not be? Haaland has enjoyed a sensational debut season in England and will surely be looking to bag a Treble in style.
Manchester United predicted XI and team news
Ten Hag will definitely be without Anthony Martial and Antony after the pair's recent injuries.
Jadon Sancho is expected start against his former club in a front-three alongside Marcus Rashford and one of Alejandro Garnacho or Wout Weghorst.
Manchester City predicted XI and team news
Guardiola has five potential injury worries, headlined by Kevin de Bruyne, Jack Grealish and Ruben Dias.
Pep called them all "niggles, not big injuries", but will almost certainly prioritise next weekend's Champions League final and may not take any chances.
- By Alex Terrell
City training
Pep Guardiola's Premier League winners have had to do without Kevin de Bruyne at training throughout the week.
The Belgian had picked up a knock but is expected to be fit for today's final.
Credit: AFP - By Alex Terrell
All roads lead to Wembley Way
The famous promenade is starting to fill up with football fans ahead of the Cup final.
United and City fans have been traveling down from Manchester by the busload.
But most certainly not by train, given there is currently a train strike in motion.
This has brought stations like Euston to a tumbleweed silence, on a day when it would normally be packed with Brits on the move.
That means fleets of buses have been laid on by the clubs in order to get Wembley full of 90,000 fans.
Wembley Way is starting to fill up with Manchester United and Manchester City fansCredit: EPA Euston Station is empty, with no passengers on the concourseCredit: Alamy - By Alex Terrell
Hello there and welcome to Wembley
Manchester City go head-to-head with their fierce rivals Manchester United as they look to complete part two of their three-part mission.
Pep Guardiola is eyeing a historic Treble with City this season and match a feat set by Sir Alex Ferguson in 1999.
They've already won the Premier League – coming from eight points behind Arsenal to make it five titles in the last six seasons – and have a debut Champions League gong in their sights.
City will have to overcome Italian giants Inter Milan in Istanbul to finally get their hands on the illusive Champions League trophy.
For Erik ten Hag, the opportunity to bag a second domestic crown to go with a third-placed finish and return to the Champions League in his debut season.
On top of all that, of course, there are bragging rights up for grabs and the chance to stop their neighbours from potentially making history.
As always, this Manchester derby will be fought hard on the pitch with fans just itching to get one over on their rivals.
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