Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney believes Crystal Palace have a strong chance of clinching the FA Cup title after their impressive qualification for the finals.
Crystal Palace will face off against Manchester City in the FA Cup final at Wembley Stadium, following a commanding 3-0 victory over Aston Villa in the semi-finals.
On the other hand, Manchester City advanced by defeating Nottingham Forest 2-0 in their semi-final matchup, setting the stage for a thrilling encounter.
Speaking on BBC One, Rooney praised Crystal Palace for their performance against Aston Villa, stating, “I think Palace were by far the better team in that match, and the atmosphere surrounding their victory is simply incredible.
“They fully deserve this opportunity to compete in the final, and I sincerely hope they can capitalize on it to lift the trophy.
“The FA Cup final is a monumental event in the football calendar; it means so much to everyone involved. The Palace fans have enjoyed a remarkable day out, and they get to experience it all over again.”
Adding to the discussion, renowned football pundits Roy Keane and Ian Wright weighed in on the upcoming final by suggesting that Crystal Palace must improve their game to stand a chance against Manchester City.
Keane said during an ITV segment, “To defeat City, you still have to play exceptionally well. Despite the challenges they have faced this season, Palace will need to be at their very best to overcome them.”
Wright agreed, saying: “The difficulty in playing against a team like City is evident. Even if you find yourself two goals ahead, they have the relentless capability to come back at you.
“Crystal Palace needs to understand that City will control a significant portion of the game. They need to seize any opportunities that arise and convert them into goals. Like Roy pointed out, City are an outstanding side, and if you fail to capitalize on your chances, they will surely punish you.”
Note that the FA Cup final between Manchester City and Crystal Palace will take place on May 17.
