With the trophy already half-inscribed ahead of their historic FA Cup final, the countdown to Manchester City and Manchester United’s final meeting this season is on.

For Pep Guardiola’s side, Saturday’s match is the halfway mark to completing a seldom-seen feat: securing the Treble with victory in the Premier League clinched, and a Champions League final to come.

For United, their mission is all the more urgent, with the team not only inspired by the thought of a second piece of silverware this season, but the chance to snuff out the hopes of their crosstown rivals matching their club’s distinguishing triumph.

With the stakes high, both Guardiola and his opposite number Erik ten Hag will be hard at work at crafting their unbeatable starting XI.

But with both squads to call upon, who makes it into Sofascore’s combined starting XI ahead of the trip to Wembley?

Manchester City dominate Sofascore’s combined XI in attack after a white-hot 2022-23 season

After securing Champions League football and a strong season, United have an impressive showing in the line-up

Golden Glove winner De Gea has seen out a season of extreme contrasts. Whilst the Spainard has fumbled in dramatic fashion at crucial points for United this season, his clean sheet record towers over Ederson’s.

His mentality is admirable too. Despite the criticism his performances have at times attracted, the goalkeeper has remained a coolheaded leader for United at the back.

David de Gea has made some high profile errors but remains undroppable for his manager

Defender: Diogo Dalot (Manchester United) 7.05

Whilst Erik ten Hag is preparing for a defensive revamp during the summer transfer window, one player not under threat is the Portugal international.

Dalot has had a new lease of life under the Dutch manager, and been rewarded with frequent inclusions in the starting XI.

The Portuguese defender is set to sign a bumper new contract after a strong showing this year

Defender: John Stones (Manchester City) 7.03

The transformation of Stones’ position this season has played an integral part in spurring Manchester City’s Treble charge, his tweaked defensive midfield role key to Pep Guardiola’s side’s untouchable dominance.

Along with his team-mate Rodri, the pair’s inclusion in this starting XI was never in doubt.

The transformation of John Stones this season has added fire power to City’s Treble chase

Defender: Lisandro Martinez (Manchester United) 7.12

Ten months ago, Martinez’s move to Manchester from Ajax raised eyebrows, but after an electrifying debut season for the Red Devils, it is notable that news of his season-ending metatarsal injury against Sevilla put United’s hopes of Champions League qualification in doubt.

The World Cup winner has been a stalwart in Ten Hag’s backline this season, and full to the brim of the fight that his manager requests from his players.

Lisandro Martinez quickly adjusted to life in the Premier League after moving from Ajax

Defender: Luke Shaw (Manchester United) 7.10

Shaw is another United player who has flourished under Ten Hag this season, with his new four-year deal the reward to show for it.

As well as maintaining a defensive presence critical to keeping United in the race for the top four in the Premier League, the England international has provided creative touches when called upon too, bagging seven goals and assists across all competitions.

Luke Shaw is a hardy presence in Ten Hag’s backline and recently signed a new four-year deal

Midfielder: Casemiro (Manchester United) 7.21

The former Real Madrid man could yet turn out to be one of the most impressive signings of the season – across the English top flight – for his transformative work in Manchester.

Virtually undroppable, United visibly suffered during his two red card suspensions, his addition to the starting XI providing gravitas, s𝓀𝒾𝓁𝓁, and on more than one occasion, match-winning goals.

Since his arrival from Real Madrid, Casemiro has elevated a string of United’s performances

Midfielder: Rodri (Manchester City) 7.32

As consistent a player as a manager like Guardiola could ever hope for, Rodri has again looked peerless for the champions throughout City’s campaign.

Whilst his solidity in the midfield is the backbone of the side, Rodri has been increasingly creative in attack, picking up three goals and seven assists in sky blue this season.

The composed and confident midfielder provides a sturdy backbone for Man City’s creativity

Attacking midfielder: Riyad Mahrez (Manchester City) 7.22

What Mahrez has lacked in goals this season he has made up for in creativity, exploiting the width of the pitch to scythe through opponents’ defences.

Still heavily relied upon by his manager, the 32-year-old remains a potent threat in attack, contributing 14 assists for his side across all competitions.

Whilst not tallying up his usual number of goals, Riyad Mahrez has consistently added creativity in City’s attack this season

Attacking midfielder: Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City) 7.34

It is hard not to rhapsodise about De Bruyne, nor find wholesale flaws in any of his time in a Man City shirt. But after a brief dip in form after the winter break, De Bruyne has been at his peerless best under Guardiola.

The Belgium midfielder has found particular joy in his partnership with Erling Haaland, his intelligent link-ups with the Norwegian goal machine at the heart of City’s increasingly realistic Treble prospects.

The Belgium midfielder has had a superlative season and formed a ferocious pairing with Haaland for the side

Attacking midfielder: Jack Grealish (Manchester City)

City’s £100million-man has elevated his game to another level this season, playing Phil Foden out of starting contention and delivering on the promise of his astronomical price tage.

His creativity and knife-sharp pairing with Haaland even keeps out Marcus Rashford, who has had a blistering season for the Red Devils. But City’s attack has been ferociously consistent this season – United’s players never stood a chance.

Jack Grealish has blossomed under Pep Guardiola in his second season in Manchester

It is an increasingly hard task to find new descriptions for Haaland and his sumptuous goalscoring form, but when put under pressure, the alternative is to turn to his records broken: Most Premier League goals scored in a single season, Man City’s highest-ever goal scorer in a single season, the first player to be awarded the Premier League’s Player of the Season and Young Player of the Season simultaneously. And there are still more he could claim.

The peerlessly in-form striker will be looking to add to his goal haul at Wembley on Saturday