FA Cup: All 10 Times Manchester Clubs Have Met In The Competition Ahead of Final

FA Cup: All 10 Times Manchester Clubs Have Met In The Competition Ahead of Final

Rene Otinga
updated at May 24, 2024 at 1:12 PM
In this article:
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Manchester United
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  • Rivalries will be renewed in the FA Cup final, when the two Manchester clubs meet
  • This will be the 10th meeting between the two city rivals in England’s oldest competition
  • One club has an edge over the other in the head-to-head record ahead of the showdown

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All eyes will be on Wembley Stadium on Saturday, May 25, as the two Manchester clubs prepare to lock horns in the FA Cup final.

Manchester United hope to make amends for their disappointment in 2023, when they lost the final against the same rivals

Erik ten Hag, Pep Guardiola, FA Cup final, Manchester derby
A scarf with Erik ten Hag and Pep Guardiola from the FA Cup final in May 2023. Photo: James Williamson.
Source: Getty Images

For City, the Wembley showdown offers a chance to collect a domestic double just a week after securing a historic fourth successive Premier League title.

Manchester United Vs. Manchester City’s FA Cup history

The two clubs’ rivalry in England’s oldest competition dates back to the 19th century.

Oct 3, 1891: Ardwick (Man City) 1-5 Man United

Their first meeting occurred in 1891 when Manchester City was known as Ardwick. United cruised to victory in the first qualifying round, thrashing The Citizens 5-1.

Mar 27, 1926: Man City 3-0 Man United

City and United would enjoy FA Cup success (in 1904 and 1908, respectively) before meeting again in the competition in 1926.

By this time, Manchester City was slowly becoming a formidable side. They proved their superiority by beating United 3-0 in the semi-final. City lost the final to Bolton Wanderers, as cited on 11V11.

Jan 29, 1955: Man City 2-0 Man United

Over 29 years later, the two Manchester sides faced each other in the FA Cup fourth round, with Manchester City again beating their rivals 2-0. Again, the Citizens fought to the final but lost to Newcastle United when it mattered the most.

Jan 24, 1970: Man United 3-0 Man City

Over a 26-year period between the 1970s and the 1990s, United established themselves as the superior club in Manchester, beating City three times in their FA Cup meetings. Their first victory came in 1970 when they thrashed their neighbours 3-0 in the semi-final.

Jan 10, 1987: Man United 1-0 Man City

In 1987, United met City again in the FA Cup third round, this time with a young Sir Alex Ferguson in charge.

The fifth-round tie ended in a 1-0 win for United.

Feb 18, 1996: Man United 2-1 Man City

It would be nine years before the two Manchester clubs met again in the FA Cup.

In the fifth round of the competition, famous 'Class of 92' stars like Gary Neville and Ryan Giggs beat their local rivals 2-1 to advance to the quarterfinals.

It is kind to note that during this period of United's dominance over Manchester City, the Red Devils lifted the trophy on six occasions, according to SportsMole.

Feb 14, 2004: Man United 4-2 Man City

Since the turn of the millennium, the FA Cup has been treated to the Manchester derby on four occasions.

This includes a six-goal thriller in 2004 when Sir Alex Ferguson’s United beat City 4-2 in the fifth round. The Red Devils won the competition that year.

Apr 16, 2011: Man City 1-0 Man Utd

In 2011, City ended their 35-year wait for silverware by winning the FA Cup. That season, Roberto Mancini’s side knocked out their local rivals, United, with a 1-0 win courtesy of Yaya Toure’s goal.

Jan 8, 2012: Man City 2-3 Man Utd

Alex Ferguson got his revenge in his penultimate season as United boss, beating City 3-2 in the third round of the competition.

Wayne Rooney’s brace on either side of Danny Welbeck’s goal gave the Red Devils a 3-0 lead, with City threatening a comeback through goals by Aleksandar Kolarov and Sergio Aguero.

Jun 3, 2023: Man City 2-1 Man United

It took 11 years for the two Manchester sides to meet again in the FA Cup, clashing in the 2023 edition of the final.

This was the first time in the competition’s 153-year history that the final was a showdown of the Manchester derby.

Pep Guardiola’s side emerged 2-1 winners thanks to a brace by captain Ilkay Gundogan. City won a historic treble that year.

How Manchester clubs lined up in 2023 FA Cup final

Sports Brief also reported on how the two Manchester clubs lined up in the 2023 FA Cup final.

Manchester City lined up in a 3-2-4-1 formation against Manchester United in last year's FA Cup final, with Erling Haaland leading the attack.

United had Marcus Rashford leading the line last year, with Jadon Sancho, Christian Eriksen, and Bruno Fernandes in the squad.

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Rene Otinga
Rene Otinga is a sports journalist with over eight years of working experience in digital media. Rene's experience includes working as a Copywriter at X News Kenya and TUKO.co.ke.
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