This year’s FA Cup final between Manchester United and Manchester City might be one of the most memorable in recent years. FA Cup finals rarely live up to their place as a showpiece final and are often wary (or one-sided) affairs, but the very fact that Pep Guardiola’s men will be aiming to stay on course for a Premier League, an FA Cup and a Champions League. the highs keep the interest high.
Their long-distance rivals are the only English side to have completed that particular treble and, as well as claiming their own cup double following their League Cup triumph earlier this year, may prevent City from matching their historic feat.
When is the FA Cup final?
The FA Cup final will take place on Saturday June 3, 2023.
Where is the FA Cup final?
The final is to take place at Wembley Stadium in London.
What time does the FA Cup final start?
The FA Cup final is back to its traditional 3pm kick-off for the first time in more than a decade after police ruled it a ‘high risk’ game.
Although safety and logistical advice is seen as the main factor determining decisions for the first-ever Manchester derby final, an earlier kick-off will also appeal to fans of both clubs making the 170-mile journey.
The FA Cup final last kicked off at 3pm in 2011, but concerns have been raised about the higher risk of disorder associated with late start times.
The final will take place in June instead of the usual mid-May date after club football was pushed back this season to host a winter World Cup.
That means a date clash with the Epsom Derby, which is also being screened by ITV and is now set to start at 1.30pm, ahead of the FA Cup final.
Who is the match referee?
The job went to referee Paul Tierney, Telegraph Sport understands.
The 42-year-old hails from Wigan in Greater Manchester and is considered a Wigan Athletic fan. He has been the target of Jürgen Klopp this season, who later backtracked on highly critical comments about Tierney, and the Football Association’s decision shows they value the referee.
Tierney will be assisted by Neil Davies and Scott Ledger with fellow referee Peter Banks as fourth official. League Cup final referee David Coote will act as video assistant referee alongside Simon Long.
What are the latest news
A train strike has been announced for the day of the FA Cup final.
Aslef, the body that represents train drivers, said members would strike on May 12, May 31 and June 3 – the last of these dates being the day of the match in London between Manchester United and Manchester City. The walkouts threaten to cause chaos for tens of thousands of supporters who plan to travel to Wembley for the showpiece.
The Epsom Derby also takes place on June 3. Racecourse bosses had already brought the Derby forward three hours earlier than planned to avoid a clash with football.
What TV channel is the FA Cup final being shown on?
This year, the BBC and ITV have shared broadcast rights to the FA Cup and the final will be shown on both channels.
Manchester City’s road to the final
Manchester United’s road to the final
Latest odds
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Manchester City 8/15
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Manchester United 11/2
What are the managers saying?
Erik ten Hag has promised his side will “give it their all” to shake off Manchester City’s treble bid and secure a second piece of silverware this season.
United overcame Brighton in a tense penalty shoot-out after a 0-0 draw at Wembley on Sunday to stage a first all-Manchester FA Cup final on June 3.
Ten Hag will be looking to add the FA Cup to the League Cup already won in his first season at Old Trafford. But victory over City would also prevent City from matching United’s 1999 success in winning a Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League treble.
“We will give everything and when I say everything, that’s it,” the United manager said. “So the fans can count on that – that we will give it and do it against all opponents.
“But, of course, we want to give that against City. We want to give that to the fans, for sure.
City, who beat Sheffield United to reach the Cup final, won the league title and the FA Cup final will be their great second leg to win the treble – a feat achieved only once by an English side , by, yes, you guessed it, Manchester United in 1999.
Ten Hag, whose side beat City 2-1 in the league in January, admitted his side will need to play “the perfect game” to beat Pep Guardiola’s men again.
“We are proof, proof that we could beat them, but then we have to play the perfect game,” he said. “I think that [in January] It was the perfect match we played this season, but we have to start over.
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