A mouthwatering clash between two giants of the FA Cup
What: The FA Cup Semi Final
Who: Manchester United v Everton
When: Sunday, 19th April, 16:00 BST
Where: Wembley, London
Sir Alex Ferguson’s antipathy towards the manager of Liverpool reignited on Friday, but he must now discard the entente cordial with Everton manager David Moyes.
The two Scotsman clash at Wembley for a place in the FA Cup final. Ferguson comes into this match on the crest of a wave after the disciplined victory over Porto in mid-week.
Facing a possible exit from the Champions League after a disappointing performance at Old Trafford, United looked re-born in Portugal.
In control from the kick-off, a 40-yard rocket from the boot of Cristiano Ronaldo was enough to claim safe passage to a semi-final double header with Arsenal.
A defence, which had previously conceded ten goals in four games, looked solid in its resolve once again, with the return of Rio Ferdinand.
Ferdinand and centre-back partner Nemanja Vidic will need to be at their best to repel an Everton attack that gave them a torrid time earlier in the season.
Ferguson will also need to shuffle his pack to ensure his team navigate their way through a gruelling fixture list.
Expect Ben Foster, Rafael Da Silva and Carlos Tevez to take their places on the Wembley pitch. Italian golden boy Federico Macheda could also feature.
Even at half strength, the Red Devils should still have too much for the Merseysiders. However, with a man of Moyes’ tactical nous in the opposite dug out, the performance against Porto must be repeated, rather than the embarrassing loss to Liverpool.
Ride-ing to Success
Everton manager David Moyes is sure to use history as an incentive to fire his players up for the clash with Premier League leaders Manchester United.
He will know that in the 1995 FA Cup final, a Paul Rideout goal won the trophy for the underdogs against a dominant United side.
Yet again, the odds are stacked in favour of the Mancunians. Moyes will be banking on the new Wembley to have as positive effect on the players of today, just as the original stadium had more than a decade ago.
Everton have provided stern opposition for their North West neighbours this season. A hard fought draw at Goodison Park and a narrow defeat at Old Trafford have been registered in a pair of matches where the Toffees rarely seemed second best.
The meeting in Merseyside saw the champions ruffled by their hosts in a frantic and physical second half performance. A repeat showing is needed if they are to dump the Reds out of the FA Cup.
Moyes will certainly not be looking to replicate the shambolic defending that featured in last weekend’s 3-3 draw with Aston Villa.
Thrilling for the neutral, but painful for the Scotsman, his side twice threw away a two goal cushion to draw with the Villains.
England men Joleon Lescott and Phil Jagielka must rediscover their defensive vigour if the deadly United frontline is to be denied. Without it, the possibility of any Everton player joining Rideout in Everton folklore is remote.
FORM GUIDE
Manchester United:
15th April vs. Porto (A) won 1-0 (CHAMP LG)
11th April vs. Sunderland (A) won 2-1 (PREM)
7th April vs. Porto (H) drew 2-2 (CHAMP LG)
5th April vs. Aston Villa (H) won 3-2 (PREM)
21st March vs. Fulham (A) lost 2-0 (PREM)
Everton:
12th April vs. Aston Villa (A) drew 3-3 (PREM)
5th April vs. Wigan Athletic (H) won 4-0 (PREM)
21st March vs. Portsmouth (A) lost 2-1 (PREM)
14th March vs. Stoke City (H) won 3-1 (PREM)
8th March vs. Middlesbrough (H) won 2-1 (FA CUP)
TEAM NEWS
Manchester United:
Darren Fletcher re-joins the squad after shaking off a hamstring strain. Wayne Rooney and Michael Carrick travel, after recovering from knocks picked up against Porto.
Wes Brown (foot) returned to reserve team action on Monday after a long layoff. Owen Hargreaves (knee) is continuing his rehabilitation from surgery.
Last starting XI (vs. Porto): Van der Sar, O'Shea, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra, Giggs, Carrick, Anderson (Scholes 78), Rooney, Berbatov (Nani 68), Ronaldo.
Subs Not Used: Foster, Neville, Evans, Tevez, Macheda.
Squad: Van der Sar, Foster, Kuszczak, Neville, Evra, Ferdinand, Vidic, Rafael, Fabio, O'Shea, Evans, Ronaldo, Anderson, Scholes, Fletcher, Gibson, Carrick, Park, Nani, Giggs, Rooney, Tevez, Berbatov, Macheda.
Possible starting XI: Foster, Rafael, O’Shea, Vidic, Evans, Park, Ronaldo, Fletcher, Scholes, Rooney, Tevez.
Everton:
David Moyes has a decision to make on whether to start the game with Louis Saha (stomach virus). The Scottish manager cannot call on Jo, as he is cup tied, or long term absentees Victor Anichebe (knee), Mikel Arteta (knee), Yakubu (knee) and Nuno Valente (knee).
Nigerian international Joseph Yobo is fit again and James Vaughan makes the trip, after recovering from the latest in a long line of knee injuries.
Last starting XI (vs. Aston Villa): Howard, Hibbert (Jacobsen 65), Lescott, Jagielka, Baines, Osman, Neville, Cahill, Pienaar, Fellaini, Jo (Saha 81).
Subs Not Used: Nash, Van der Meyde, Castillo, Rodwell, Gosling.
Squad: Howard, Hibbert, Lescott, Jagielka, Baines, Osman, Pienaar, Neville, Rodwell, Fellaini, Cahill, Yobo, Saha, Vaughan, Nash, Gosling, Jacobsen, Van der Meyde, Castillo, Baxter.
Possible starting XI: Howard, Hibbert, Baines, Lescott, Jagielka, Osman, Pienaar, Neville, Fellaini, Cahill, Saha.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Manchester United: Wayne Rooney is the name on everyone’s lips when these sides meet. The ex-Everton idol burnt his bridges with the Goodison Park faithful long ago. Unleashed from the shackles of his wing position on European nights, Wazza could inflict more pain on his former team with a dominant display up front.
Everton: Lumbering oaf or goal scoring midfielder, the jury is still out on Marouane Fellaini. The ‘Big Fella’ has struggled to consistently replicate the form that prompted David Moyes to spend £15m on him but has had an above average first season in England. He scored the equaliser against United at Goodison Park and, if he can repeat the trick at Wembley, hero status will be secured.
PREDICTION
After the victory on Wednesday night, the Manchester United winning machine of a month ago could be back on track.Everton will try to derail them, but without the artistry of Mikel Arteta, they won’t be able to unlock the Red Devils’ defence.
Manchester United 1-0 Everton
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