Both Peter Schmeichel and Andrew Cole believe Manchester United are capable of upsetting the odds and beating Manchester City to win the FA Cup.
A Manchester derby takes place at Wembley this afternoon as United take on City. There are local bragging rights, the prospect of silverware and the potential to add further glory to both these teams' seasons.
United have already won the Carabao Cup and can lift silverware at Wembley for the second time this season if they emerge victorious. Pep Guardiola's side are seeking to complete the Treble and match United's 1999 achievement, having already won the Premier League and also in the final of the Champions League against Inter Milan.
READ MORE: The story of Ten Hag and Guardiola's two years together at Bayern Munich ahead of United vs City
Schmeichel and Cole were part of United's 1999 Treble-winning side and both had lengthy glittering spells at Old Trafford. However, both players did each spend a season at City towards the conclusion of their playing careers with Schmeichel wearing blue for the 2002/03 season before he retired and Cole playing for the club during the 2005/06 season.
But it appears there will be no split loyalties for either former player, with Schmeichel making it clear he will be supporting United in the final at Wembley. Though he admits City are ahead of United right now, he believes Erik ten Hag's side have a great chance to show what they can do against one of the world's best teams right now.
Asked by Gary Lineker if he will have split loyalites, Schmeichel told Match of the Day: "Absolutely not! My loyalties are very, very clear.
"Being Manchester United and saying that we are one of the biggest clubs - we actually claim that we are the biggest club in the world - you also have to compete at the very highest level. At the moment you only have to look at what Man City have and we cannot match that at the moment.
"We are on our way, but that is a great, great opportunity to go out there and measure yourself up against one of the best teams in the world."
Cole believes that should Guardiola's side go in front and especially early on, they will go on to claim a comfortable win. But he has a feeling United will win, bearing in mind their previous meeting at Old Trafford in January where Ten Hag's side won 2-1, and believes anything could happen at Wembley.
Speaking to FA Cup Odds on BoyleSports, Cole said: "If Manchester City score early, they’ll go on to win the game comfortably. If Manchester United frustrates them and nicks a goal, they can win a game.
"I have this feeling that Manchester United will win that game. No one seems to mention that the last time they played, Manchester United won, they played well and convincingly won. But anything can happen in the FA Cup, that’s the magic of it.
"However you look at it, Manchester United will go into this game knowing we’ve achieved history by winning this cup and completing the treble.
"Our neighbours have a great chance of matching the Treble if they beat us. They have the club’s history and legacy on the line, it’s as simple as that."
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