English Cup glory is on the line as one of football's greatest rivals face off at Wembley Stadium as Premier League champions Manchester City take on their neighbours Manchester United in the final of the FA Cup. In English football, there are few battles more fierce than the Manchester derby where animosity is fuelled by which team will claim the bragging rights at the end of the match of course football fanatics are often heard saying that Manchester is red or it is blue according to which team they pay allegiance to. Manchester is a former industrial powerhouse that has blue and red areas. You might find a few more City fans towards the centre of town and greater United representation in the suburbs. 

The truth about Manchester, however, is that people in red and blue coexist in offices, call centers, industries, schools, colleges, pubs, and restaurants every day of the week. Families that firmly support City or United may exist, but eventually, someone will marry into one that supports the opposing team, causing everything to fall apart. Manchester football does a strong line in cross-pollination, which is appropriate for a city that values its worker bee symbol. The stakes have rarely been higher than they will be at England's national stadium this weekend. It will be the 190th Manchester derby and United and City have done most things in competition with one another. They have even decided on a title on a thrilling final day of the Premier League. However, they have never faced off in an FA Cup final, and, like all the best derbies, history booms around this one. 

For Manchester United, winning both domestic trophies while finishing in the top four would mark their best post-Ferguson season and also an indication that Erik Ten Hag is up to the task of ensuring that United restores back its glory. He might not be the new Sir Alex, but he could ensure pride, swagger, and bite are part and parcel of the Red Devils just like the good old days. On the other hand, if City sweep United aside, there would be fears of early enthusiasm around the former Ajax boss taking the same toxic turn as did the optimism that once accompanied Louis van Gaal, Jose Mourinho, and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. Saturday's game might just be another FA Cup final to many, but to Manchester residents, it is a derby day where history is the greatest driving force toward multiple best- and worst-case scenarios. Who will claim the bragging rights at the end of the match? The Wembley Stadium will give the final answer of whether Manchester will be painted blued or red.

(Image: Paddy Power News)