Jack Grealish's tweet supporting Man United emerges ahead of Manchester derby FA Cup final

Jack Grealish's tweet showing support for Manchester United has been doing the rounds ahead of the first Manchester derby in FA Cup final.

Grealish is expected to line up for City against the Red Devils at Wembley, having been one of City's top performers in his second season playing under Pep Guardiola.

The former Aston Villa striker scored the opener in a 2-1 defeat for City at Old Trafford in the last meeting between the two sides.

But 11 years ago and Grealish was in a very different situation. A 16-year-old Grealish was hoping United won the 2011/12 Premier League as he could not watch City lift the title.

On the final day of the season, City would pip United on goal difference in the most dramatic finale to a title race, with Sergio Aguero scoring a last-gasp goal against QPR to give the Blues win a first league.

But at the time, the outcome wasn't the one Grealish wanted, as he tweeted: "Football is on! Please United win and City lose, I cannot watch City win the league lol, come on Villa as well."

Twitter/@JackGrealish

Another post was shared on 30 April 2012, the day City beat United with a Vincent Kompany header to take control of the title race.

Grealish wrote: "On route to training, finally im [sic] back n the suns [sic] shining, absolutley [sic] BUZZING for the game tonight, come on u reds #United."

The England international has since deleted the tweets as expected and is an integral part of a City side looking to match United's 1999 treble achievement in two huge finals in the next two weeks.

Image: Alamy

Grealish has not featured in City's last three fixtures after they were confirmed as Premier League champions for a third time on the trot.

However, Guardiola has confirmed both Grealish and talisman Kevin De Bruyne trained as normal and he has a fully fit squad to choose from.

He told a press conference: "They trained well in the last two training sessions. No, all of them (the players) are more or less fine.”

Guardiola has confirmed FA Cup keeper Stefan Ortega will retain his place ahead of No.1 goalkeeper Ederson, having played every game and not conceded a goal in the competition so far.

Topics: Aston Villa, FA Cup, Jack Grealish, Manchester City, Manchester United, Premier League, Fan Reactions

Josh Lawless

Josh is a sports journalist who specialises in football and wrestling. He has been published by Curzon Ashton FC, Late Tackle, Manchester City FC, The Mirror, Read Man City and Manchester Evening News. He provides coverage of professional wrestling and has interviewed some of the biggest names in the field - including the first UK interview with The Hardy Boyz after their return to WWE. He has never sported a pair of Lonsdale Slip-ons, contrary to reports.

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