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Manchester United have just two players included in a combined XI ahead of the FA Cup final, determined by sports data company SofaScore.
The Red Devils, who finished the season in eighth place to suffer their worst campaign in Premier League history, will take on seven-time FA Cup champions Manchester City at Wembley Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
Having blown a 3-0 lead against Coventry in the semi-final last month, Erik Ten Hag’s side scraped through after winning 4-2 on penalties to set up yet another Manchester derby in a repeat of last year’s final.
So, who made SofaScore’s XI ahead of a trip to the capital, and who missed out? Mail Sport takes a look…
Man United have a last shot at European football next season with this weekend’s FA Cup final
Crosstown rivals Man City will look to complete a domestic double at Wembley on Saturday
Erik ten Hag (left) goes head-to-head with Pep Guardiola for the last time of their campaigns
Goalkeeper
Andre Onana – 7.18
One of only two appearances for Manchester United in the XI, Andre Onana secured a rating of 7.18 after proving crucial in the spot-kick showdown with Coventry last month.
Despite concluding that his debut season with the Reds has been ‘one to forget’, the Cameroonian keeper was quick to prevent Callum O’Hare from sending the Championship side to a major tournament final during the Cup’s semi-final shootout.
With United loose in defence across the Premier League, Onana has been relied upon between the sticks, registering 149 saves throughout the season – more than any other keeper.
Andre Onana is one of only two of Ten Hag’s side to make the cut when the sides are combined
Despite a shaky start, the Cameroon international now cuts a reliable figure between the sticks
Josko Gvardiol has been a valuable defensive presence and recently added goals to his game
Defenders
Josko Gvardiol – 7.35
After struggling to find his feet during early months with Man City, Josko Gvardiol has since emerged as a key component of Pep Guardiola’s record-winning team – with SofaScore providing him a rating of 7.35.
The left-back has been praised for controlled defensive displays, in addition to his goalscoring ability which has taken many by surprise this season.
Having netted a brace against Fulham to leave a fourth consecutive League title firmly in sight, the Croatian has bagged five goals in seven games across all competitions – proving a versatile talent that Guardiola can utilise on Saturday.
Manuel Akanji – 7.18
Manuel Akanji has had to be adaptable at times this season, with the absence of John Stones meaning a move away from his preferred centre-back role to placement further on the right on occasion.
Yet the Swiss international has dealt with the task considerably well, linking up with Nathan Ake to tighten up City’s defence in the closing stages of the season.
Akanji has earnt himself a SofaScore rating of 7.18 in the process, establishing himself a vital component of the Blues squad as they hunt for a consecutive domestic double.
Manuel Akanji has stepped up in the absence of John Stones to bolst Man City’s defence
Ruben Dias has further burnished his trophy cabinet this season, and will look to add a second
Ruben Dias – 7.20
Ruben Dias has been a rock at the heart of Manchester City’s defence ever since he joined the club back in 2020.
With many applauding his attempts to follow in the footsteps of Vincent Kompany, the former Benfica player has registered 75 clearances across this year’s domestic campaign – enough to see him snatch a score of 7.20.
Kyle Walker – 7.15
Ever-reliable in defence, City’s Kyle Walker is pivotal regarding his one-on-one capabilities – earning him a spot in SofaScore’s Best XI with a rating of 7.15.
Despite losing out on a place in the fastest League players of the season, the Cityzens’ captain is among the gold standard of right-backs – and boasted a tackle success rate of 74 per cent throughout the 2023-24 domestic campaign.
Man City’s captain remains one of Guardiola’s evergreens – and an undroppable player in this combined XI
Midfielders
Kevin De Bruyne – 7.88
Even with his absence across the first five months of the season, De Bruyne’s statistics speak for themselves.
Having played only 18 matches across the Premier League campaign, the midfielder has provided more assists than any other player this calendar year – amassing a total of 15 across all competitions since the beginning of January, and enough to earn him a score of 7.88.
The Belgian playmaker has assisted three goals in FA Cup finals – a joint record with Olivier Giroud.
Rodri – 7.96
Earning himself the highest score in the XI, Rodri has won 11 major honours with Manchester City since his move from Atletico Madrid in 2019 – and has since been described as the best midfielder in the world ‘by far’ in a gushing statement from Guardiola.
This year, the Spaniard contributed eight goals and nine assists to City’s Premier League total, despite often being placed in a more defensive role – as well as bagging a third for the Blues against West Ham that proved to be a match-winning, and league-winning, moment.
Despite missing a chunk of the season, Kevin De Bruyne has returned to his dazzling best
Spain international Rodri has one of the fiercest unbeaten personal records in the sport
The metronomic midfielder has also been described as the best ‘by far’ by his decorated coach
Bruno Fernandes – 7.79
Bruno Fernandes occupies the second spot for Manchester United within the XI, having been one of the more consistent talents at Old Trafford this season.
No player created more chances than Fernandes across this year’s league campaign, with his 114 opportunities resulting in 18 goal involvements for the United captain.
On the scoresheet in last season’s FA Cup Final, Portuguese international Fernandes is no stranger to the competition’s big moments – having safely converted his spot-kick against Coventry and leaving him with a SofaScore of 7.79.
Bruno Fernandes has been Ten Hag’s creative standout this season – and no player has created more league chances
Forwards
Phil Foden – 7.80
Phil Foden has enjoyed the best season of his career, with the individual prizes heading his way after an excellent campaign.
Having been named Premier League Player of the Season and set to be a regular pick for Gareth Southgate this summer, Foden’s rating of 7.80 comes off the back of 27 goals and 11 assists in all competitions across 2023-24.
The homegrown star will line-up with his Blues teammates on Saturday for their chance at an eighth FA Cup title – and what could be Foden’s third, aged just 23.
FWA Player of the Year Phil Foden has had the campaign of his career in Man City sky blue
Bernardo Silva’s brace helped book Man City’s place in Saturday’s final, when Guardiola will be relying on more magic from the Portugal international
Julian Alvarez (pictured) sneaks in as the final piece of the puzzle ahead of Erling Haaland
Julian Alvarez – 7.43
There’s no place for the 2023-24 Premier League Golden Boot winner Erling Haaland as he is beaten to the team by his team-mate Julian Alvarez.
The Argentine World Cup winner recorded 20 goal involvements in City’s domestic campaign this year – and played a pivotal role in their hunt for the defence of the Champions League, which ultimately fell short.
Alvarez, described as ‘almost undroppable’ by Guardiola in September, contributed a crucial second goal against RB Leipzig as well as the assist for the team’s third during their European campaign – and his spectacular 3,445 minutes on the pitch across all competitions have earned him a score of 7.43.
Bernado Silva – 7.51
Having signed a contract extension at the start of the season, Bernado Silva is a talisman for Guardiola – but suffered Champions League heartbreak earlier this season after missing in the quarter-final penalty-shootout against Real Madrid.
Yet three days later, it was Silva’s sweetly timed goal with just six minutes to spare that broke the deadlock at against Chelsea at Wembley in last month’s semi-final, sending Manchester City within reaching distance of back-to-back FA Cup titles.
