FA Cup final: Will Rashford put Euro 2024 snub behind him to stun history-chasing Man City?

Marcus Rashford has a decent-to-good record against Man City (Credit: Imago/Pro Sports Images)

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Man City are one of Marcus Rashford's favourite opponents (Credit: Imago/Pro Sports Images)

FA Cup final: Will Rashford put Euro 2024 snub behind him to stun history-chasing Man City?

Seye Omidiora 07:23 - 25.05.2024

The Manchester United forward has hurt Pep Guardiola’s men in the past, and he seeks a repeat for the desperate Red Devils.

Marcus Rashford has had an underwhelming 2023-24 for club and country, culminating in his Euro 2024 snub by Gareth Southgate

Marcus Rashford stats 

The Manchester United forward found the back of the net 30 times last season but has managed to score eight times this term, an underwhelming drop-off that has led to criticism of the 26-year-old. 

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Rashford’s omission from Gareth Southgate’s provisional squad for this summer’s European Championship was unsurprising, even if many feel a player of his profile offers something different to the Three Lions. 

However, the Englishman seeks to rise above that disappointment by hurting City in Saturday’s FA Cup final.

FA Cup final

Pep Guardiola’s men are chasing back-to-back doubles — winning the Premier League and FA Cup in the same season — something previously never achieved in English football. 

The Cityzens are also on an 11-match winning streak in the competition, and they hope to make that 12 against a United side that have lost four of their previous five FA Cup deciders, with the 2016 success over Crystal Palace the club’s only triumph. 

Will Rashford thwart Man City’s ambition? 

What is Rashford’s record against Man City?

The Manchester United forward has scored six times against Man City in the past, making them one of his favourite opponents

Marcus Rashford
Marcus Rashford typically enjoys playing against Man City (Credit: Imago/News Images)

Only against Liverpool (seven) and Leicester City (eight) has Rashford scored more, and the 26-year-old scored the game-winning strike the last time the Red Devils got the better of their neighbours in January 2023, fighting back from 1-0 down to win 2-1. 

Rashford also netted a cracking strike against the run of play in this season’s Premier League game at the Etihad Stadium, but Guardiola’s men responded to score three second-half goals to win 3-1. 

What comes next?

Getting the better of Man City in Saturday’s final guarantees Man United Europa League football next season. Failure to shock Guardiola’s men means there would be no European participation in 2024-25.