Man City: Pep Guardiola faces a selection dilemma in goal for the FA Cup final

Pep Guardiola faces a major selection dilemma over who to start in goal ahead of Saturday’s FA Cup final.

Manchester City are chasing an historic Treble, with the first of two showpieces coming against rivals Manchester United at Wembley.

Second-choice goalkeeper Stefan Ortega, a free transfer signing from German side Arminia Bielefeld last summer, has played every single domestic cup fixture in both competitions this season.

Ortega has impressed Guardiola and started three of the last six Premier League matches as City wrapped up the title.

But the magnitude of Saturday’s encounter leaves the City boss with a headache – to persevere with the 30-year-old or pick regular No 1 Ederson between the sticks.

Stefan Ortega (left) has started every domestic cup fixture this season but it would be a brave decision to leave Ederson (right) out of the starting line-up against Manchester United

City’s decision to play Zack Steffen (pictured) over Ederson proved costly in the semi-finals of the same competition last year when they played another one of their rivals in Liverpool

The decision to choose Zack Steffen for last year’s FA Cup semi-final defeat by Liverpool proved a mistake after two high-profile errors by the American contributed to City going three goals down before half time.

Steffen also made a mistake in the 2021 semi-final, when he was caught out of position and Hakim Ziyech scored the winner for Chelsea. Valued at around £10million, he spent this term out on loan at Middlesbrough and looks set to leave permanently before next season.

Guardiola does have form for going back to Ederson for major matches, with youngster Aro Muric benched in the 2019 Carabao Cup campaign after playing in every round until the final. The former Benfica keeper also starred in every round when City lifted the FA Cup in 2019.

Ederson said on Thursday that Guardiola will be upfront with his decision-making regardless.

‘I think he’s that kind of good coach who says whatever he has to say to you on your face,’ Ederson said.

‘He lives, breathes football. He’s very demanding. His mind is constantly filled with thoughts but we know him. When it’s time to criticise you, he criticises you; when it’s time to swear at you, he swears at you on the field; when it’s time to praise you, he praises you.’

The Brazilian will take lucky pants with him to London, adding: ‘I have the superstition of wearing the same underwear every game. Every game, I always wear the same underwear.’