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FA take unusual step to engrave trophy winner before Man City vs Man Utd final
Manchester City take on Manchester United in the FA Cup final and the trophy has already been partially engraved.
The FA have taken the unusual step to partially engrave the FA Cup trophy before today's final. Manchester City and Manchester United go head to head in the Wembley showpiece for the first time in the competition's history.
City are aiming to take one step closer to winning the treble ahead of next weekend's Champions League final in Istanbul. United, meanwhile, want to thwart their rivals as well as complete a domestic cup double under Erik ten Hag.
The Red Devils are set to compete in their record-equalling 21st final. But it will be the first time they have ever come up against their neighbours City.
To mark the occasion, the FA have already engraved the words "2023 Manchester" on the trophy. Today's match will decide whether the word "City" or "United" will be etched alongside it.
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Andy Ambler, The FA's Director of Professional Game Relations, told the Mail: "It's remarkable that these giants of English football have won the competition on 18 out of a possible 141 occasions between them but not met in the final until now.
"This unique engraving underlines the historic nature of the game in prospect, and we can't wait to see whether it will be City or United added to the trophy."
City have already got their hands on the Premier League trophy after beating Arsenal to top spot in England. They can win their seventh FA Cup and second under Pep Guardiola.
United, meanwhile, are second in the list of most FA Cup wins. Arsenal have lifted the trophy on 14 occasions, with United a couple behind on 12.
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Their last triumph in the world's oldest cup competition came in 2016 under Louis van Gaal. It was Van Gaal's last match in charge before being replaced by Jose Mourinho.
Both sides have hit rich veins of form in 2023. United won the Carabao Cup in February to end their six-year wait for a trophy.
After qualifying for the Champions League via the Premier League top four, they can cap off a successful season by beating City. Fans are desperate to stop City from emulating their 1999 treble success.
City will be strong favourites heading into the Champions League final against Inter Milan next weekend. They first have to overcome the challenge of United, who beat them 2-1 at Old Trafford in January.
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