The standard season curtain-raiser, the Group Defend is commonly derided as a glorified pleasant. In any case, it does not actually matter whether or not you win it or not, does it?
Truly, current historical past tells us that it does. Manchester Metropolis and Manchester United would possibly wish to take that into consideration as they put together to face off at Wembley this Saturday.
It is a repeat of final season’s FA Cup last – by which United beat their native rivals, the reigning Premier League champions, 2-1 – and the 2011 Group Defend. United additionally received on that event – however they did not go on to retain their Premier League title…
Manchester rivals Metropolis and United have met at Wembley in every of the final two FA Cup finals, profitable one apiece (Picture credit score: Alamy)
VIDEO: EA FC 25 Upgrades: slip passes, dribbling, cross accuracy, skilled fouls
Pitting the earlier marketing campaign’s Premier League champions towards the earlier season’s FA Cup winners (or, within the occasion {that a} staff does the double, the Premier League runners-up), the Group Defend dates all the way in which again to 1908 – when it started life because the Charity Defend, its first staging happening between the First Division champions, United, and Southern League champions, QPR The winners have not at all times been cursed – however that does appear to be the case these days.
Since Sir Alex Ferguson’s United received the 2010/11 Premier League title after claiming the 2010 Group Defend – defeating Chelsea 3-1 – just one facet has clinched the Group Defend and the Premier League title in the identical season. That was Pep Guardiola’s Metropolis in 2018/19 – after they pipped Liverpool in a pulsating title race to be topped champions by a single level.
Arsenal received the 2023 Group Defend however went on to complete second to Metropolis within the league (Picture credit score: Alamy)
So, of the final 13 groups to win the Group Defend, 12 have failed to finish the season as Premier League champions. Arsenal have fallen sufferer to the curse 5 instances – together with final 12 months, after they noticed off Metropolis on penalties – with United succumbing thrice, Metropolis themselves twice, and Liverpool and Leicester as soon as every.
The very best options, enjoyable and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox each week.
This will probably be Metropolis’s fourth straight Group Defend look. They’ve misplaced every of the final three – and whereas they actually will not have fun one other defeat, which may simply be the very best consequence as they purpose for a record-extending fifth straight top-flight title.
Extra Manchester United and Manchester Metropolis tales
MANCHESTER UNITED Erik ten Hag says Purple Devils have tailored Luke Shaw alternative amid Tyrell Malacia woes
MANCHESTER CITY Striker in talks with PSG as sensational Kylian Mbappe alternative
IN THE MAG Season Preview! 140 groups rated PLUS 51 issues we’re excited for in 2024/25, Kudus, Cech, Schmeichel, Grobbelaar and extra!
