Manchester United ruined my weekend

This Saturday May 14 could be a day that goes down in Manchester legend, with both City and United poised to take home historic trophies. It could be a day when the two sides put their differences aside and unite in a heart-warming display of shared jubilation and friendly back-patting.

Maybe not. 

Ian Arnfield runs the Bredbury branch of the Manchester City Supporters Club, he says: “I think it devalues it, it should be a showcase game and a one-off.” 

What might seem like the ideal situation for Mancunian football fans has some Blues hot under the collar. Internet forums are awash with aggrieved City fans who feel that a scheduling mess-up is threatening to undermine what should be their moment in the sun. 

Normally the FA Cup Final would be played on the last day of the season, after the Premiership hysteria has died down, unencumbered by any other distracting fixtures. This year, however, the spectacle of the Final will have to compete with four Premiership games being held on the same day. The most important of these takes place at Blackburn's Ewood Park, where United could secure the Premiership.

A draw at Blackburn would be enough to clinch a record-breaking nineteenth Premier League title for United, sparking wild celebrations in the red half of Manchester. Meanwhile, 200 miles away at Wembley, Manchester City will be preparing to walk out to their first FA Cup Final in 30 years. If they win, it will be the end of a 35 year dry spell and finally put an end to the cruel taunts that they've endured from United fans about the cobwebs that threaten to engulf their trophy room.

After three decades of living in the shadow of their near rivals, some City fans are furious that an FA Cup victory could be undermined by the Premier League being decided on the same day. What galls them even more is that it's United who could rain on their parade.

Ian Arnfield runs the Bredbury branch of the Manchester City Supporters Club, he says: “I think it devalues it, it should be a showcase game and a one-off.” 

The problem is that the FA has promised to keep Wembley stadium clear for 2 weeks before the lucrative Champions League final on May 28, featuring, ironically, Manchester United. The FA have downplayed the scheduling conflict, claiming that it was always a possibility when they agreed the calender and that the FA Cup will still be a global event. 

Fans at City's store on Market Street question the FA's decision.

Ben Oliver, visiting from Belfast says: “They could have had the FA Cup Final in Cardiff again, but they have to pay for Wembley. That's why they had the Semi-Finals at Wembley, which is wrong too.” He also accused Manchester United of “Stealing our thunder.” 

Another fan, Richard Haskins, disagrees: “City fans aren't going to be bothered about that. We're just going to love the fact that we're at Wembley.” 

Manchester City Football Club have not made any public statement and when asked refused to comment on the situation. Manchester United are similarly silent on the subject but their fans are more vocal.

Warring pals Jenny and Sharon are on opposite sides of the Red-Blue divide and unsympathetic United fan Jenny made her feelings clear: “Rub salt in the wound, I say.”

Sharon, meanwhile, claims that a Manchester United victory would inspire her team: “It gives them all the more reason to win,” she said, before adding, “It doesn't matter anyway, United won't win on Saturday.”