Three things Erik ten Hag needs to do to ensure a win against Manchester City in the FA Cup final | OneFootball

It all comes down to this. Wembley awaits for Manchester United in the FA Cup final and the nemesis is as strong as ever.

Erik ten Hag might or might not be the United manager at the start of the next season but he’s here now and he and his team deserve all the support from every United fan.

Manchester City are as tough an opponent as they come in world football and United will have to pretty much play a perfect game to outlive them.

Here are three things Ten Hag needs to do to give his team the best chance of winning a game that has a lot riding on it-

Don’t get baited into a straight fight

United can’t be afraid of City and cower under their might. But at the same time, it would be delusional to think they are at the same level technically, or even comparing man-to-man.

Therefore, what United lack in quality, they need to make up for it in sheer desire and passion. They might seem like blanket terms for when the game lacks analysis, but going against City at their own game is a death sentence.

United’s best chance is to sit back, bypass the City press by playing over it and letting their pacy forward run at the opponent’s defence.

If they get baited into outpassing City, playing from the back, or pressing them high with acres of space behind, this game will be played right into Pep Guardiola’s hands.

Get his players to start like their lives depend on it

United went into last year’s FA Cup final against City in much better form and condition than they do this time. However, a shock-opening goal within seconds immediately left them with a mountain to climb, which they ultimately didn’t.

This year, United arguably have more riding on this game than City, who were going for a treble last year. This time, United have European qualification on the line and a semblance of respect to achieve after a nightmare season.

They need to start like City did last year, playing at full throttle, in their faces and make City know they are in for 90 minutes of hell, regardless of the result.

The Ten Hag blueprint through which he got the home win against Liverpool last season, when nobody gave United a chance, is a good template to follow.

Use the bench well

Ten Hag said after the Brighton game that with players returning from injury, he has now got a “luxury” problem. He added that his team was competitive against City at the Etihad Stadium before their superior bench strength had them take over.

Those two comments take out every mitigating factor/excuse for the manager and his team now that they have pretty much the whole team back for this game.

Only Harry Maguire and natural left-backs Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia are ruled out so Ten Hag will finally have established internationals on the pitch as well as on the bench.

United are going to be chasing the ball for much of the game so energy off the bench will be needed. Furthermore, pace is the thing that can’t be taught and is needed for playing a transition game.

Therefore, he will need to manager his resources carefully and keep enough threats on the bench to keep City defenders on their toes. City are likely to lay siege on the United box, United need a siege mentality to overcome it.

It starts with more than just the XI who start the match. Arguably, the XI that finishes it is even more important.

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