May 22nd 2024.
Manchester United is gearing up for a highly-anticipated showdown against their rivals Manchester City in the upcoming FA Cup final. Gary Neville, a former United player, hopes that City's players are still basking in the glory of their recent Premier League title win, giving United a chance to capitalize and take home the FA Cup trophy. Despite the uncertainty surrounding their coach Erik ten Hag's future, United is determined to finish the season on a high note with a victory over their bitter rivals.
The odds may be stacked against the Red Devils, as they will face City once again in a repeat of last year's final, where City emerged victorious with a 2-1 score. However, United is taking encouragement from their recent performances, with wins against Newcastle and Brighton in their last two Premier League matches. Unfortunately, United's hopes of securing a spot in the Europa League for next season were dashed when Newcastle secured seventh place in the league on the final day.
In an interview on The Overlap, Neville shared that he would not be attending the final after a less-than-pleasant experience at Wembley for the 2023 final. However, he predicts that United will come out on top in a thrilling penalty shootout. He also joked about City's potential hangover from their title celebrations, saying, "Do you think City will still be hungover from their big night out on Sunday? Just a couple of days can knock you back a bit. I'm hoping they're still celebrating!"
When asked about his prediction for the final, Neville confidently replied, "I'm going with a 1-1 draw and United to win on penalties." His former teammate and fellow pundit Roy Keane, on the other hand, was less optimistic about United's chances but urged the players to maintain belief and pull off an upset against City. Keane believes that United still has a chance, citing Tottenham's strong performance against City and Forest's close game against them.
Despite City being the favorites, Keane believes that United can still produce a performance and moments that could turn the tide in their favor. He also emphasized the importance of a good start, unlike last year's final where City scored within 12 seconds, leaving United with little chance to catch up. Keane's prediction for the final is a 2-1 or 3-1 win for City, but he hopes to be proven wrong.
In the end, both pundits agree that United must come out with a strong and determined mindset if they want to have a chance at winning the FA Cup. They also urge the players to not be content with simply reaching the final, but to go all out and give themselves a chance to lift the trophy. As the match day approaches, all eyes will be on United as they prepare to take on their fierce rivals in what promises to be an intense and unforgettable FA Cup final.
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