Pep Guardiola is currently preparing for his third FA Cup final in a row.
The Manchester City boss has an incredible record at Wembley, which consists of 13 wins and seven defeats, and should he win the FA Cup on Saturday, Guardiola will become just the second manager to win both domestic English cups at least three times, with only Sir Alex Ferguson doing so previously.
Therefore, it is fair to say that the 54-year-old knows what he is doing; however, the former Barcelona manager has some big decisions to make ahead of this weekend’s FA Cup final, with Guardiola not expected to pick his strongest Man City team.
Ahead of the team news being announced on Saturday, former Man City player and manager Stuart Pearce is adamant a £59m star needs to start if the Manchester club are to beat Crystal Palace.
Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images
Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images
Man City have to start Omar Marmoush in the FA Cup final
There has been a lot of talk around the team Man City will go with for the FA Cup final, and Troy Deeney has admitted that he would not be surprised if Guardiola dropped Kevin De Bruyne for the Wembley clash.
Erling Haaland is expected to start up front for City, however, the places behind the Norwegian are unknown, and Pearce is adamant that Omar Marmoush needs to start against Crystal Palace.
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“I think he’s been one of the standout players since he’s walked through the door, even when the team weren’t playing particularly well, he’s been one of the standout players and one of the successes,” the former Man City manager said about the Egyptian on talkSPORT.
“So I would have to find a place in the starting lineup for him. I still feel Haaland will lead the line, but Marmoush, for me, has to play.”
Guardiola has been impressed with the impact Marmoush has made in a struggling Man City team, and the fact that he rested the 26-year-old against Southampton last week suggests that he is in line to start in the FA Cup final.
The forward was electric against Crystal Palace the last time the two teams met, and it showed Guardiola how to use the Egyptian on Saturday.
Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images
Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images
Pep Guardiola has to play Omar Marmoush in a specific position vs Crystal Palace
Man City were the victors in a thrilling 5-2 win over Crystal Palace last month, and the contest saw Marmoush put in an impressive display, with the 26-year-old scoring the equaliser in the match.
The Egyptian started the game on the left wing and Guardiola’s use of the former Eintracht Frankfurt star worked perfectly as he exploited the space behind Daniel Munoz, and together with Nico O’Reilly, the duo caused Crystal Palace a lot of problems.
Although Oliver Glasner will be expecting Marmoush to start on the left, the Palace boss will still struggle to defend the winger as Munoz is not going to change his style of play, as the full-back has been immense for the Eagles this season, getting up the pitch.
The London club will have someone covering for the Colombian when he gets forward, but that will pull someone out of their position, which leaves space for the likes of De Bruyne to operate in.
Pearce is right in saying Marmoush needs to start Saturday, as the 26-year-old could be the deciding factor in Man City winning the FA Cup or not.