FA Cup Final - Match Preview


By David Hobbs
May 22 2004

Manchester United look to end their season with some silverware when they challenge Division One outfit Millwall at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium tomorrow for the FA Cup. Roy Keane is expected to start despite missing a string of games for The Red Devils.

Hobbs in Trouble

FA Cup Final - Match Preview

Manchester United look to end their season with some silverware when they challenge Division One outfit Millwall at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium tomorrow.

After failing to get into the Quarter-Final of the Champions League and finishing 3rd in the Premiership, The Red Devils are itching to restore some pride and win their 11th FA Cup.

With a full house of around 72,500 at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium, United look to bag their first FA Cup since 1999.

The class of 98/99 defeated Newcastle United at the old Wembly Stadium after goals from Teddy Sheringham and Paul Scholes sealed the great cup.

The Red Devils now equal Arsenal's record of 16 appearances in football's most prestigious domestic cup.

United's road to Cardiff began on the 4th of January when they knocked out Aston Villa by 2 goals to 1 in the third round at Villa Park. The road then lead to Northampton where a weakened United outfit strolled past Division 3 club Northampton Town. Fulham were drawn to Fulham at home in the 6th round where Sir Alex Ferguson's side edged past The Cottagers 2-1. England boss Sven-Goran Eriksson paired United with rivals Arsenal in the semis where United won 1-0.

Dennis Wise's side also began their journey to Cardiff in January. A 2-1 victory at the New Den against Walsal set them up for victories against Telford and Burnely in February. After two attempts of beating Tranmere in the Quarters, the Lions were paired off with Sunderland in the Semi-Final, guaranteeing a lower-league club a place in Cardiff.

Captains of the respective clubs, Dennis Wise and Roy Keane, have both been struggling with injury as-of-late but are both expected to start and lead their side out of the tunnel. Louis Saha is cup-tied whilst Danny Dichio is suspended for the Londoners. 

Come on United!

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