Manchester United XI vs Man City: FA Cup final – Rashford starts, Casemiro dropped

Erik ten Hag is hoping is Manchester United players can end a disappointing season on a high after naming his line-up to take on Man City in the 2024 FA Cup final.

We have been covering the lead-up to the game all week, and sadly much of that was interrupted by headline-hungry hacks focusing on Erik ten Hag’s future even though a decision was always coming at the end of the season.

The Dutchman has had to try get beyond the speculation in order to prepare his players for the cup final. United go into the game as underdogs, but fans are demanding fight and belief from their players as they haven’t showed enough of that throughout the season.

That is essentially why Ten Hag is in this position. Football is a results business and he knows United need one today.

Andre Onana starts in goal as expected.

The full-back roles are occupied by Diogo Dalot and Aaron Wan-Bissaka because Ten Hag doesn’t have any other options, with Luke Shaw seemingly more focused on representing England at Euro 2024.

It comes as a relief to see Lisandro Martinez and Raphael Varane in the heart of defence but they have not played a lot of football together this season.

Reports last night about Casemiro being dropped to the bench were accurate (H/t The Athletic), meaning it will be Sofyan Amrabat partnering Kobbie Mainoo as well as club captain Bruno Fernandes in midfield. Scott McTominay starts to add more presence in midfield as well as attack.

Ten Hag has opted for two forwards in Alejandro Garnacho and Marcus Rashford, though they are likely to be joined by McTominay when United have possession of the ball.