Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag might have dropped a hint over surprise FA Cup starter

Cup final clues

There was plenty to celebrate on the final day of the Premier League season at Old Trafford, but the attention was also firmly on a date at Wembley next weekend.

United wrapped up third place while coming through their game with Fulham unscathed and with key players given a rest. Now the focus really does sharpen for a seismic FA Cup final with Manchester City.

There were hints as to likely starters at Wembley in who didn't Ten Hag didn't pick. The presence of Raphael Varane, Christian Eriksen and Anthony Martial on the bench felt telling. You can probably include Aaron Wan-Bissaka in that list.

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Then there was those players withdrawn from the action early. Alejandro Garnacho probably went off as he's not yet ready to last 90 minutes, but the sight of Fred and Casemiro being replaced with 24 minutes to go felt telling. Casemiro is clearly a certain starter but if Bruno Fernandes plays in the front three, as he did against City in January, then Fred might be the beneficiary in midfield.

Like Casemiro, Marcus Rashford's spot at Wembley was never in danger, but the decision to give him the final 15 minutes off against Fulham was sensible.

Sancho shines again

Ten Hag admitted in the week that Jadon Sancho probably prefers to play on the left for United, but for a game and a half he's looked excellent on the right in the final few days of the Premier League season.

Sancho might prefer to play on the left but with the emergence of Alejandro Garnacho and the likelihood of Marcus Rashford spending more of next season on that flank, he needs to get himself options.

He was always a dangerous dribble down his natural flank for Borussia Dortmund and he's shown flashes