This Manchester derby features two teams whose narratives this season have taken very different trajectories.
Manchester City began the campaign with head coach Gareth Taylor talking of taking the next step to win the WSL title yet they find themselves languishing adrift in fourth, with interim boss Nick Cushing now in charge and City hoping the FA Cup will save their season.
In contrast, holders Manchester United had a turbulent summer, while head coach Marc Skinner faced criticism from his own fans, yet they have gone on to have an impressive league campaign which could be capped by retaining their FA Cup crown.
After losing to Chelsea in the final in 2023, Skinner’s side thrashed Tottenham at Wembley last year to win their first major trophy.
Boss Skinner said the prospect of reaching a third successive FA Cup final “is not something to fear” for his side.
“If you grip too tight on the memory and thought of it, you forget to live in the moment and I want us to live in the moment,” he said.
“I want us to enjoy the pressure of this situation. We currently are the holders. Let’s try and maintain that.”
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exeter.one newsbite last confirmed 1 week ago by The BBC
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