Reds into first Manchester derby final

Sunday 23 April 2023 19:24

United will meet neighbours City in the first Manchester derby ever to take place in a major final.

The Reds overcame Brighton & Hove Albion 7-6 on penalties after a gruelling goalless draw over 120 minutes, with Victor Lindelof steering home the decisive spot-kick after Solly March blazed over.

With City, still battling for a Treble, beating Sheffield United 3-0 with a Riyad Mahrez hat-trick, the two clubs have a major date to look forward to next month and a third trip to Wembley this term for Erik ten Hag's men.

We have faced the Blues twice at the stadium before, both matches taking place in 2011. After losing the FA Cup semi-final 1-0, with Paul Scholes sent off and Yaya Toure scoring the only goal of the game, we began the following season with a thrilling 3-2 victory in the Community Shield.

Trailing 2-0 at the break to efforts from Joleon Lescott and Edin Dzeko, a typically spirited fightback ensued with Chris Smalling and Nani netting twice inside six second-half minutes. A brilliant injury-time winner from Nani ensured success for Sir Alex Ferguson's side.

We did take on Bolton Wanderers, who are based in Greater Manchester, in the 1958 FA Cup final, losing 2-0 to a Nat Lofthouse double, after a miraculous run to Wembley in the wake of the Munich Air Disaster.

This year's showpiece occasion is being held on Saturday 3 June, a week after the Premier League comes to an end. The kick-off time has still to be confirmed but Wembley will again be the venue. Ticket details will be released in due course on our official channels.

United have joined Arsenal on 21 appearances in the final as we aim to close the gap on them in terms of outright wins, with the Gunners on 14 to our 12 triumphs.

A reminder that our women's team have also got an FA Cup final to look forward to, as Marc Skinner's side are taking on Chelsea on Sunday 14 May, with a 14:30 BST kick-off, also at Wembley.

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