Manchester United set to play 4,208th straight game with a youth team graduate in FA Cup final against Manchester City

The Red Devils eye their 13th FA Cup crown

Marcus Rashford took special care to craft his acceptance address when he received the Sir Matt Busby Prize for Manchester United's Player of the Season at a club event earlier this week.

After Ryan Giggs 25 years ago, Rashford is the only player who has gone through Manchester United's renowned development system to receive the award, and as United prepare for their big match against Manchester City at Wembley, his homage to the club's past felt particularly appropriate.

'I feel a huge sense of pride,' said Rashford, who has scored 30 goals in all competitions ahead of Saturday's FA Cup Final. 'I just hope that more academy players can go on and win this award and feel what I'm feeling right now on the stage.'

In addition to any other FA Cup Final since recent recollection, this one is significant since it is the first time the two Manchester clubs will face off against one another, and due to this, City have an opportunity to make history by turning into the second English team, after United, to accomplish the feat of winning the Premier League, FA Cup, and Champions League.

Additionally, it is United's final opportunity to prevent City from matching their 1998–1999 achievement. If United triumphs, it will give their supporters solace in the knowledge that Erik ten Hag and his team prevented their opponents from sharing the same historical category as them at the end of a season in which City had swept all before them.

But Saturday's game will also be a fight for the football spirit of Manchester, as Rashford suggested in his remarks. 

Manchester United have a long tradition of using players who have developed through the club's youth system and are a vital part of the club, which has frequently led to their fans claiming that they are Manchester's team.

Football fans have strong feelings about how young players get into the first team, especially local players.

It creates the belief that there is a blood connection between a club and its community and carries a tremendous sense of passion.

But when it comes to the duration and durability of dedication to development, no club in the nation can compete with United. 

Before the first ball hits the ground on Saturday, when players like Rashford, Alejandro Garnacho, and more take the field to play in the Cup Final or take a seat on the bench, United will already have achieved a different kind of success.