FA Cup Final Preview
Chelsea and Manchester United to contest first final at new Wembley
This Saturday sees Premiership giants Chelsea and Manchester United contest the first FA Cup final at the new Wembley stadium; will it be Fergie or Jose lifting the cup.
Premiership giants, Manchester United and Chelsea, go head to head this weekend in the first FA Cup final to be played at the new Wembley stadium. A 90,000 capacity crowd will watch both sides battle to win their second trophy of the season: United having claimed the Premiership title and Chelsea the Carling Cup.
History
Manchester United will be making a record breaking 18th appearance in the final, winning the trophy 11 times. Chelsea will be making their eighth final appearance, winning the cup on three occasions. The sides have, previously, met only once at this stage in the competition. That was in 1994, when goals from Eric Cantona (2), Mark Hughes and Brian McClair gave United a comprehensive 4-0 victory.
Chelsea Problems
The mood, in both camps, going into the final could hardly be more contrasting. Chelsea’s continuing injury problems mean that they may only have 16 first team players to choose from. Definitely out are Andriy Shevchenko, Michael Ballack and Ricardo Carvalho; with major doubts surrounding John Obi Mikel and Arjen Robben. And with manager Jose Mourinho being arrested this week by London police, after a dispute over his dog, Chelsea’s preparations for the final could hardly be described as perfect.
United Confident
Manchester United, meanwhile, go into the final full of confidence after regaining the Premiership title for a record ninth time. United manager, Sir Alex Ferguson, told the club’s official website, “we’re going there with good confidence, we’ve won the league and touch wood I’ll get the players I need for next Saturday.” Other than long term casualties, Gary Neville and Louis Saha, Sir Alex will have a full strength squad to choose from.
Differing Styles
The contrasting styles of play, of both teams, make this an intriguing contest and one where the outcome is difficult to predict. Chelsea’s battering ram approach, a solid defence, raiding midfield and strong strikers, has allowed them to dominate and overcome numerous sides this season. United, on the other hand, have won the title with their fast flowing, dynamic attacking football.
Key to Victory
Control of the midfield could provide the key to victory on this occasion. United’s free flowing midfield of Giggs, Scholes, Carrick and Ronaldo have produced numerous goals and assists for the champions this season,and they will have to be at their creative best to bypass a powerful Chelsea midfield containing Lampard, Makelele and Cole. In the end it may come down to how the defences, of both teams, deal with the league’s top attackers. Allowing Chelsea’s Drogba, and United’s Rooney and Ronaldo, space might prove disastrous for both teams’ cup ambitions.
With both, Ferguson and Mourinho, experts on the tactical side of the game, a tight no frills encounter will be expected, with the bragging rights to the winners being worth a lot more than the one million pounds prize money on offer.
