Seven reasons why Man Utd CAN topple Man City and win the FA Cup final

There's no hiding from the fact that everyone expects City to beat United. The Cityzens are the overwhelming favourites according to all bookmakers, with some outlets offering a mere 1/3 odds for a triumph for Guardiola's side. And no one could argue with that.

But United's status as underdogs also means that the pressure will be off them at Wembley. This is a free hit, and they can use that to their advantage. “For me personally, it gives me more energy," said Diogo Dalot.

"We want to be the team in the future that everyone thinks is going to win automatically. I've been at this club for a while now and I want to feel that feeling of dominance in every game and in every competition we play, everywhere we go. So that, for me, is good, because it gives me even more energy to want to win it."

There has always been a small contradiction about this City side. On the one hand, they are the consummate professionals, always in perfect shape at the crucial stage of the season. And in Guardiola they have a coach who does not tolerate slipping standards. On the other hand, they sure like to party, with Jack Grealish the poster boy of their revelry. And having won so many trophies within the last few years, they have had plenty to celebrate.

City's players were allowed to indulge after winning a fourth consecutive Premier League title last Sunday. Grealish, of course, was seen stumbling out of the Fenix bar and restaurant at 5am, while Kevin De Bruyne was spotted slumped in a taxi. Erling Haaland and Rodri also stayed out late, with the Spaniard in particular looking like he had enjoyed himself.

United fans will be hoping that they will still be feeling the effects of their celebration at Wembley. As Gary Neville put it on Stick to Football : "The first thing I was thinking about and I hope it’s true… do you think City will have had a big night out on Sunday night, bladdered like? Just a couple of days and it knocks you back a little bit. We did it 20 years ago. I’m hoping they’re still celebrating!"

United's season was rocked by injuries from start to finish. Ten Hag's side suffered more than 60 separate injuries, with players missing over 350 games combined. The manager is in no doubt that the setbacks are the reason why his side performed so badly.

But the good news is that he will be able to field one of his strongest teams of the campaign at Wembley. The return of Lisandro Martinez, who has started just 10 games all season due to three separate injury problems, is the biggest boost for Ten Hag, while Raphael Varane could start alongside him after getting 21 minutes off the bench against Brighton.

Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw are unlikely to win their fitness battles, but Marcus Rashford will be back, and there is even a chance that Anthony Martial (remember him?) makes the matchday squad. Now is the time to see how good United can be with most of their best players available.

Rashford will be hurting badly after being left out of England's provisional squad for Euro 2024. The striker cannot complain with Gareth Southgate's decision as he has had a miserable campaign while the likes of Jarrod Bowen and Anthony Gordon have shone. But now he has an opportunity to prove Southgate wrong.

He also has a chance to get United fans back onside after his relationship with supporters turned sour. The striker's attitude this season has angered many, but a match-winning performance against City would do a lot to heal the wounds.

Rashford's career has been full of ups and downs, and it should not be forgotten that the exceptional form he showed last season came after a dismal campaign. He has got a knack for bouncing back and proving the public wrong, and if ever there was a time for him to prove a point, it is on Saturday.

The one upside of this dreadful season for United has been the emergence of their young stars. Kobbie Mainoo has locked down his place in the midfield and proved to be one of the most exciting players in the country while Alejandro Garnacho has continued to improve in his first full season in the first team.

Rasmus Hojlund has shone when at full fitness and has scored in his last two appearances. Amad Diallo has also looked dangerous whenever he has played, scoring brilliant goals against Liverpool and Newcastle. "All of us young guys, with Amad as well, we have a lot of fun together and we've definitely grown close this season," said Mainoo this week.

These fearless youngsters can be United's secret weapon at Wembley, and all of them will be relishing their chance to write their name into the club's history at the home of English football.

United might have been outclassed in their last two meetings with City, but their games against Liverpool offer a blueprint for a shock result on Saturday. The Red Devils faced Jurgen Klopp's side on three occasions this season, all when the Merseysiders were at their strongest. And they were unbeaten in all of them, winning the epic quarter-final tie in extra-time.

City, meanwhile, failed to beat Liverpool this season and they were pretty fortunate not to lose to them at Anfield, when a high kick from Jeremy Doku on Alexis Mac Allister went unpunished. If United can summon the same spirit they showed against Liverpool when they meet Saturday, they stand a chance.

Even when they have performed badly, United have often managed to find their way out of trouble. They have escaped with results they didn't quite deserve on more than a few occasions, due to the ability of certain players to deliver when it matters most.

Bournemouth coach Andoni Iraola summed up this phenomenon particularly well after his side were held to a 2-2 draw by United in April despite outplaying them. He even compared them with Real Madrid.

"Sometimes you are playing against Real Madrid and thinking 'Wow, we are doing well against Real Madrid' and then boom boom, they score in three seconds and you are losing," he said. "You think you are doing well against United, but if you don't take your chances they always find ways. They are very good on transitions, they are difference-makers down the other end."

City will know what Iraola means. Guardiola's side were leading 2-0 against United in their very best season, 2017-18, but ended up losing 3-2. They also took the lead at Old Trafford last season, only to lose 2-1. United's history is crammed full of great escapes. Even at their lowest ebb, write them off at your peril.