The FA Cup trophy has already been partially engraved ahead of Saturday’s final… with the ‘unique’ decision to carve Manchester into the silverware ahead of the first United – City final

The FA Cup trophy has already been partially engraved ahead of Saturday’s showpiece at Wembley Stadium. 

It is the first time that Manchester City and Manchester United meet in the final of the world’s oldest football competition, and in honour of the clash, the city’s name has already been pre-carved onto the iconic piece of silverware.

Whether it will be followed by a vowel or a consonant will be decided by the winner of this weekend’s final, which kicks off at 3pm on Saturday. 

Andy Ambler, The FA’s Director of Professional Game Relations, said ‘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.’

Manchester City remain on track for a treble – with the Champions League final against Inter Milan to come. 

But Manchester United will be hoping to stop their crosstown rivals in their tracks, and win their second domestic trophy of the season, after beating Newcastle United in the Carabao Cup final earlier this year. 

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Erik ten Hag’s side also have the form coming into Saturday’s final, with four wins on the bounce, most recently seeing off Fulham on the final day of the Premier League season.

Pep Guardiola’s side have stepped off the gas since lifting the Premier League trophy, drawing with Brighton and then losing to Brentford on Sunday.  

The winning side gets £2m from the FA Cup prize fund, double what the loser receives – but neither side is focused on the money, with Mancunian pride at stake.