Home Football Phil Foden leads Manchester City’s pre-FA Cup final photos as Pep Guardiola’s team prepares to square off against their noisy neighbours in a rematch of last season’s finale at Wembley

Phil Foden leads Manchester City’s pre-FA Cup final photos as Pep Guardiola’s team prepares to square off against their noisy neighbours in a rematch of last season’s finale at Wembley

Football — 05/31/2024

Manchester City will try to add to their trophy haul when they play their bitter rivals Manchester United in the FA Cup Final at Wembley on Saturday.

Members of Pep Guardiola’s team, including Phil Foden, Bernardo Silva, and Kyle Walker, posed for official photos before of one of the most anticipated football events of the year.

A bad run before Christmas saw the Citizens fall behind in the Premier League title race, allowing Liverpool and Arsenal to set the pace in the second half of the season.

However, after the new year, City has returned to their all-conquering best domestically, surrendering points in only three of their remaining 21 league games of the season to win a fourth straight title on the final day.

Foden has been instrumental in that record-breaking success, with the 23-year-old scoring 38 goals and assisting on 52 occasions in all competitions.

Phil Foden posed for portraits ahead of Man City's FA Cup final clash with Man United+7View gallery

Phil Foden posed for portraits ahead of Man City’s FA Cup final clash with Man United

The 23-year-old midfielder has enjoyed an exceptional campaign for the Citizens thus far+7View galleryFoden was named the Football Writers' Association Footballer of the Year+7View gallery

The 23-year-old midfielder has enjoyed an exceptional campaign for the Citizens thus far

Victory on Saturday would mark City's third FA Cup win since Pep Guardiola took over in 2016After a catastrophic injury hampered Kevin De Bruyne’s play for much of the season, Foden stepped up to the plate as the club’s primary creative outlet, a position he has maintained since the Belgian’s return.

Foden’s brace on the last day ensured Manchester retained the Premier League championship for another year, and he was voted Football Writers’ Association Footballer of the Year in recognition of his outstanding performance.

City began their journey to Saturday’s final in January, when Foden scored twice in a 5-0 home triumph against Championship strugglers Huddersfield.

Later same month, City won narrowly 1-0 against Ange Postecoglou’s Spurs before thrashing Luton 6-2 at Kenilworth Road to get to the last eight.

Bernardo Silva scored twice against Newcastle to keep the team on track, and he was again the match winner when City defeated Chelsea last month, putting them on track for their ninth FA Cup success.

At Wembley, they will face Manchester United, who have battled to find their footing under Erik ten Hag’s second season in charge.

Foden's England teammate Kyle Walker has been integral to City's Premier League success this season+7View gallery

Foden’s England teammate Kyle Walker has been integral to City’s Premier League success this season

The Englishman is expected to be joined in defence by Ruben Dias in Saturday's showpiece clash+7View gallery

The Englishman is expected to be joined in defence by Ruben Dias in Saturday’s showpiece clash

Bernardo Silva has been prolific in the FA Cup this season with three goals in his last two games in the competition+7View gallery

Bernardo Silva has been prolific in the FA Cup this season, scoring three goals in his last two outings.

With the Dutchman’s future at the club looking bleak, Ten Hag will be aiming to avoid a repetition of last season’s final, when Ilkay Gundogan made history by handing his team the lead just 12 seconds.

Bruno Fernandes equalised from the penalty shortly after the half-hour mark, but City maintained control, and Gundogan added a second in the second half to seal the victory.