FA Cup Final: Player of the Match odds

Manchester City take on Manchester United in Saturday's FA Cup final, and Erling Haaland is 11/4 favourite to be named Player of the Match.

Haaland scored a hat-trick in the Premier League fixture at the Etihad back in October, but Erik ten Hag will be buoyed by his side's ability to restrict the Norwegian in their meeting at Old Trafford and will be hoping for a repeat at Wembley.

Interestingly, while the EFL Cup final Player of the Match is often awarded to a player who didn't find the scoresheet, the FA Cup final Player of the Match typically goes to the match winner.

Despite a 0-0 draw after 120 minutes, 6/1 joint-favourite Luis Diaz capped off a superb start to life at Liverpool with a Player of the Match display in the 2022 final.

Prior to that, however, Youri Tielemens, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Kevin De Bruyne and Alexis Sanchez all scored and went on to lift the trophy.

The other winner was Antonio Rudiger in a rather drab affair in which Chelsea kept Manchester United at bay after Eden Hazard secured a 1-0 win with a goal from the spot.

So history is against players on the losing side - worth keeping in mind considering City are 1/4 to lift the trophy while United are 3/1.

Erling Haaland is favourite at 11/4, and even if you assume City will go on to lift the trophy, there will be 10 other starters out there with him looking to shine.

While John Stones (25/1) has received plaudits for his displays this season, especially being shifted to right-back and even as a holding midfielder, but for any City defensive player to win the award, you'd assume they'll have to stay busy repelling United attacks, which feels unlikely in itself.

Those eyeing a bigger price will be interested in City's creators. Ilkay Gundogan's form at the back end of the season has seen Pep Guardiola redouble his efforts to retain the German's services, but in what could be his penultimate game in sky blue, the narrative is certainly there for the skipper to lift the trophy and be named Player of the Match.

Of course, there are no guarantees that a City player will be named Player of the Match, and if you are looking for a United player to shine, it's worth considering their back line who are sure to be extremely busy on Saturday afternoon.

Luke Shaw's had a stellar season, even when asked to slot in at centre-back, and could also be a threat going forward; he'll be relishing the chance to keep City's wide men quiet though is unlikely to pose a goal threat - even if he does have previous for bagging against City. 

Casemiro does pose a goal threat, netting a very impressive seven goals in all competitions as a supposed defensive midfielder, with one of his seven coming in the EFL Cup final, where he was named Player of the Match, and he'll be crucial if United are to repel City.

Of course, now back to fitness, Marcus Rashford will likely pose United's primary goal threat, and can be backed for Player of the Match at 14/1.

Liam Williams

• Manchester City F.C.
• Manchester United F.C.
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