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Phil Foden leads Manchester City's pre-FA Cup final portraits as Pep Guardiola's side prepare to face off against their noisy neighbours in a repeat of last season's showpiece at Wembley

6 months ago 40
  • Phil Foden and his Man City teammates posed for portraits ahead of FA Cup final
  • The 23-year-old is enjoying the most prolific campaign of his career to date
  • Have Chelsea offered Manchester United a way out of the Erik ten Hag darkness through Mauricio Pochettino's exit? - Listen to the It's All Kicking Off! Podcast 

By Adrian Bishop

Published: 17:09 BST, 24 May 2024 | Updated: 17:54 BST, 24 May 2024

Manchester City will look to add another trophy to their campaign when they face their bitter rivals Manchester United in the FA Cup Final at Wembley on Saturday.

Ahead of the one of the football calendar's most anticipated occasions, members of Pep Guardiola's side including the likes of Phil Foden, Bernardo Silva and Kyle Walker posed for official portraits.

A poor run before Christmas saw the Citizens fall behind in the Premier League title race allowing Liverpool and Arsenal to set the pace for the second half of the campaign.


However, since the new year City have returned to their all-conquering best domestically, dropping points in just three of their final 21 league games of the season to secure a fourth-consecutive title on the final day.

Foden has been Integral to that record-breaking success, with the 23-year-old providing 38 goals and assists across 52 appearances in all competitions.

Phil Foden posed for portraits ahead of Man City's FA Cup final clash with Man United

The 23-year-old midfielder has enjoyed an exceptional campaign for the Citizens thus far

Victory on Saturday would mark City's third FA Cup win since Pep Guardiola took over in 2016

After a serious injury severely limited Kevin De Bruyne's involvement for much of the campaign, Foden has stepped up to the plate as the club's main creative outlet and has retained his role since the Belgian's return.

Foden's brace on the final day confirmed the Premier League title will remain in Manchester for yet another year, and he was rewarded for his exceptional form by being named the Football Writers' Association Footballer of the Year.

City began their route to Saturday's final back in January, with Foden netting twice in a 5-0 win at home to Championship strugglers Huddersfield.

A narrow 1-0 win over Ange Postecoglou's Spurs followed later that month before City secured their place in the last eight by defeating Luton 6-2 at Kenilworth Road. 

Bernardo Silva netted twice against Newcastle to continue the club's momentum, and was once again the match winner as the club saw off Chelsea last month to put City on course for a eighth FA Cup win.

Standing in their way at Wembley is a Manchester United side that have largely struggled to find their feet in Erik ten Hag's second season in charge.

Foden's England teammate Kyle Walker has been integral to City's Premier League success this season

The Englishman is expected to be joined in defence by Ruben Dias in Saturday's showpiece clash

Bernardo Silva has been prolific in the FA Cup this season with three goals in his last two games in the competition

With the Dutchman's future at the club appearing increasingly tenuous, Ten Hag will be hoping to avoid a repeat of last season's showpiece, where Ilkay Gundogan made history by giving his side the lead on 12 seconds.

Bruno Fernandes equalised from the spot just after the half hour mark but City remained in control and Gundogan added a second in the second-half to secure the win.

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