The ghosts of FA Cup derbies past

For the second year in a row, Manchester City and Manchester United will face each other in the FA Cup final at Wembley on Saturday.

Manchester derbies are rarely dull affairs and when the two meet in cup competitions, drama is almost guaranteed.

It will be the eleventh time the two teams have met at any stage of the competition. United lead the head-to-head record with six wins to City's four.

So let’s take a look back at the last five FA Cup games…

FA Cup Final 2023: Man City – Man Utd 2:1

In the latest episode, Pep Guardiola's side attempted to maintain their winning streak and take on the only other club in English football to have done so.

With his breathtaking volley after 12 seconds, Ilkay Gündogan entered the record books for the fastest goal in the history of the FA Cup final.

The video assistant referee came to United's rescue and awarded a penalty, which Bruno Fernandes coolly converted to equalise. In the second half, Gundogan became the hero, putting City back on track with a volley.

FA Cup, third round 2012: Man City – Man Utd 2:3

Before last season's final, the two teams had last met eleven years earlier in the third round of the competition.

Even before kick-off, there were eventful events, as half an hour earlier it was announced that Paul Scholes would be coming out of retirement and would initially sit on the bench.

United threatened to make a comeback at half-time with a 3-0 lead, but when the Sky Blues got back into the game with a free kick, it was 37-year-old substitute Scholes who gave City the ball away for their second goal and set up a nail-biting finale.

FA Cup semi-final 2011: Man City – Man Utd 1:0

Less than twelve months before their meeting in 2012, it was City who sought to dash United's hopes of a historic double-treble in the semi-final at Wembley.

Yaya Touré showed strength and composure as he scored the only goal of the game, sending the City fans in the stands into ecstasy and taking Roberto Mancini's side to their first FA Cup final in 30 years.

They won their first major trophy in 35 years, beginning their era of national dominance.

FA Cup, fifth round 2004: Man Utd – Man City 4:2

Although there had already been six goals, the biggest moment of the 2004 fifth round derby was Gary Neville being sent off – both figuratively and literally.

Sir Alex Ferguson's side were dominating the game when right-back Neville dived into the box and when confronted by Manchester City's Steve McManaman, he reacted by ramming his head into the midfielder's face.

This sparked a brawl and the defender was sent off, but United still won comfortably 4-2.

FA Cup, fifth round 1996: Man Utd – Man City 2:1

A real step backwards.

In the fifth round derby of 1996, Reds head coach Sir Alex Ferguson had to prove his skills against Manchester City's Alan Ball.

City took a surprise lead at Old Trafford after eleven minutes through Uwe Rösler. But goals from Eric Cantona and Lee Sharpe took Ferguson's team through.

With a victory over Liverpool in the final they completed the double.