PANAJI
Manchester has already been etched onto the FA Cup trophy but whether 'City' or 'United' will succeed it and complete the engraving at Wembley on Saturday's final will either set the blue half on course for a treble or have the Red Devils strike a pitchfork into Pep Guardiola's ambitious chase.
The decorated manager entered the English Premier League's history books after a monstrous campaign that saw Manchester City rally from behind to overcome a brilliant Arsenal and achieve a memorable three-peat.
With one significant achievement already in the bag, the Citizens are two games away from claiming even two bigger feats, a treble and the elusive Champions League.
Guardiola and co were beaten by Chelsea in the Champions League final of the 2020/21 season but will have another shot at glory when they take on Inter Milan on June 10 in Istanbul, Turkey.
Before that, the Spaniard has a huge task at hand when both Manchester clubs clash for the first time in a major final.
City beat Chelsea, Arsenal, Bristol City, Burnley and Sheffield United en route to Wembley while United dispatched Everton, Reading, West Ham United, Fulham and Brighton in Erik ten Hag's first season in charge which has panned out quite well despite the disastrous start.
Manchester City's 25-game unbeaten streak in all competitions came to an end in the final game of the Premier League when the champions lost to Brentford 1-0.
The Red Devils could throw a pitchfork and further deflate Man City's momentum because if there's any team that can stop another English side from winning the treble, history has shown that United can do just that.
Man United prevented Liverpool from going on to lift the treble after defeating them 2-1 in the 1977 FA Cup final. In 1985, United denied Everton a treble by beating them 1-0 at Wembley in the FA Cup final.
However, history will not help them beat a well-drilled Man City side on Saturday and United will need much more than that.
The combination of Erling Haaland and Kevin de Bruyne has been absolutely lethal this season. But focusing only on the deadly duo would be a mistake as City have the likes of Julian Alvarez, Riyad Mahrez, Ilkay Gundogan, Bernardo Silva and John Stones to deal with.
Pep will have a strong squad at his disposal whereas ten Hag will have to do without Lisandro Martinez, Anthony Martial and probably Antony. United's topscorer Marcus Rashford will be available for the 189th Manchester derby but whether Haaland, who has frequently taken the spotlight this season, outshines him one more time before heading to Istanbul remains to be seen.
