Skipper Walker hails manager Pep Guardiola’s drive and intensity as they look to beat Manchester United in tonight’s final to become the first English club to win both the Premier League and FA Cup two years in a row.
Kyle Walker. Pic/Getty Images
An eagerly anticipated clash is set to unfold at Wembley Stadium this Saturday as a dominant Manchester City face off against an under-performing Manchester United in the FA Cup final. The stakes could hardly be higher for City, who triumphed over United 2-1 in last year’s final in the same venue. That victory spurred an incredible treble-winning campaign for Manchester City, which also included Premier League and Champions League triumphs.
City’s current standing as England’s pre-eminent force was once again underlined when they clinched an unprecedented fourth consecutive Premier League title last weekend. Their reign, marked by six league titles in seven years, has led many football pundits to label this squad as perhaps the greatest English team of all time.
“To do what we’ve done year in, year out, I don’t think many teams would be able to do that, especially in this Premier League,” City captain Kyle Walker remarked, reflecting on the possibility of securing a second successive double.
Walker believes that much of this unrelenting success can be credited to Pep Guardiola’s influence. “I think it starts from the manager, first and foremost. He’s addicted to winning. He is addicted, and it rubs off on us,” Walker said, underscoring Guardiola’s central role in the team’s triumphs.
Amid this sea of blue dominance, Manchester United’s star player, Bruno Fernandes, has called on his faltering team to rise to the occasion. “I just want my expectations to fit with the expectations of the club. If you speak to any fan, they will tell you the same thing. We want to compete for the league, play Champions League football, and be in cup finals. That’s the standard. We have to give everything in this last match against City, and we have to move forward,” the Portuguese midfielder said.
United’s season has been anything but smooth. Manager Erik ten Hag, who ended a six-year trophy drought by clinching the League Cup earlier in the season, now faces an uncertain future. The turbulence of their campaign saw United finish eighth in the Premier League—their lowest final position since 1990—and fail to advance past the Champions League group stage.
Ten Hag has cited injuries as a major factor in their struggles, a defense that may not convince the club’s new co-owner Jim Ratcliffe. Speculation is rife about potential replacements, with England boss Gareth Southgate, former Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino, and Ipswich chief Kieran McKenna all linked to the Old Trafford job.
. Ten Hag’s hopes of staying at United for a third season could hinge on whether they can thwart City’s bid to make history by becoming the first English club to win both the Premier League and FA Cup in successive years.
“I came here to win trophies. I’m just focusing on the job I have to do. That is first to win the game on Saturday and then keep going in the project,” Ten Hag said.
The anticipation is palpable as this high-stakes showdown approaches. Last year, City overcame United 2-1 in the same fixture at Wembley, a match that proved pivotal in their treble-winning campaign. With another Premier League title already secured, City’s overwhelming dominance is evident—they have now won six titles in the last seven years, a feat that has only intensified discussions about their place in football history.
Kyle Walker continues to emphasize that their consistency is a rare feat. “To do what we’ve done year in, year out, I don’t think any other team would be able to achieve that, especially in the Premier League,” he said, hinting at the resilience and adaptability that have become City’s trademarks.
Acknowledging the catalyst behind their success, Walker pointedly cites Guardiola’s relentless drive. “I think it starts from the manager, first and foremost. He’s addicted to winning. That addiction rubs off on us,” he noted, paying tribute to Guardiola’s role.
Meanwhile, as City prepares for another shot at glory, United’s Bruno Fernandes urged his teammates to align their ambitions with the club’s storied tradition. “I just want my expectations to fit with the expectations of the club. If you go talk to any fan, they will tell you the same thing. We want to compete for the league, play Champions League football, and be in cup finals. That’s the standard,” Fernandes said.
Axed by a turbulent season, Erik ten Hag’s future hinges on the result of this crucial match. Ending United’s title drought with the League Cup hardly stymied the dissatisfaction, given their eighth-place Premier League finish and an early Champions League exit. Injuries have plagued his tenure, but whether that will suffice to hold the patience of new owner Jim Ratcliffe remains uncertain, as rumors swirl linking several high-profile managers with the United post.
The climax of the Premier League season may have settled, but the drama is far from over. As these two teams gear up for the FA Cup final, all eyes turn to Wembley for what promises to be an electrifying match that could reshape the narratives for both clubs heading into the summer.
