Friday 15 April 2011

FA Cup preview - Saturday 16th April

Manchester City v Manchester United, Wembley (5.15pm)

Manchester United's quest for a treble this season continued after the mid-week victory over Chelsea. United's season was perhaps typified by the 77th minute of the match. Didier Drogba scored for Chelsea, pulling them back to within a goal of qualifying for the semi-finals on away goals. In devastating fashion, though, United crushed Chelsea's hopes almost as soon as they had been raised by immediately going down the other end and restoring their two-goal cushion, thanks to a cool finish from Park Ji-sung.

Wayne Rooney, who had a masterful game on Tuesday, will miss out on tomorrow's game after his choice words at Upton Park a fortnight ago. Rooney, who has seemingly banished the problems that dogged his first half of the season, will be a huge loss for United. Fortunately for Sir Alex Ferguson, he can call on Javier Hernandez and Dimitar Berbatov; Manchester City, who will be without their injured talisman Carlos Tevez for a month, do not have the same calibre of reserves.

City have been something of a disappointment this campaign. Sitting in fourth, thirteen points adrift of their neighbours and with Tottenham breathing down their necks in pursuit of the final Champions' League place, they have, once again, flattered to deceive. Roberto Mancini is surely frustrated with the inconsistency of his side's performances, perhaps best demonstrated by their last two results. A thumping, confidence-filling victory over Sunderland was followed by a limp performance on Monday night at Anfield during a 3-0 defeat to Liverpool.

United will relish the prospect of securing three trophies this season, and, although becoming champions of Europe will be a tall order, they should add to City's long wait to add to their relatively empty trophy cabinet with a victory at the national stadium tomorrow. Even a United team generally accepted as much weaker than previous years has more class and strength in depth than City. Prediction: City 1-3 United

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