Wem-Ber-Ley; Wem-Ber-Ley - We're the Famous...

She wore, she wore, she wore a scarlet ribbon,
She wore a scarlet ribbon in the merry month of may,
And when, I asked, her why she wore that ribbon,
She said it's for United, and we're going to Wembley.
Wembley, Wembley,
We're the famous Man United and we're going to Wembley.

Wembley, Wembley,
We're the famous Man United and we're going to Wembley.

WEM-BER-LEY

Manchester United cruised into the F.A Cup final at Wembley with a superb 4-1 victory over Watford at Villa Park.

A brace from Wayne Rooney and goals from Cristiano Ronaldo and Kieran Richardson were more than enough to give the Red Devils a place in the final and keep dreams of a second Treble alive.

Watford’s fans are a friendly bunch, unless you mention Luton Town, and there was good pre-match banter between the two sets of supporters before kick-off. However, there’s no defending Watford’s pathetic following with rows and rows of empty seats in the Hornet’s; particularly with so many United fans unable to get tickets for the match.

On the pitch, United were again in impressive form as they cruised to another comfortable victory. Sir Alex Ferguson’s men overcame a few nervy moments to secure an easy win with another excellent display of exhilarating attacking football.

Fergie made two changes from the side that destroyed Roma 7-1 during the week. Paul Scholes returned from suspension to replace Darren Fletcher in midfield; whilst there was no place in the match-day squad for John O’Shea with Patrice Evra taking the Irishman’s place at right-back.

The Red Devils got off to the best possible start as Rooney opened the scoring after only six minutes. The young striker latched on superbly to a Michael Carrick pass and drove an impressive twenty-yard effort passed stand-in Watford 'keeper Richard Lee. It was a superb start from United who were in a buoyant mood after Tuesday’s Champions League drubbing.

From there, most United fans were expecting a rout. Watford are staring relegation in the face and, despite boasting one of the country’s best young managers, are lacking in confidence with another season in the Championship on the horizon.

However, to their credit, the Hornets fought back well and pulled back an equaliser on 26 minutes. Hameur Bouazza’s produced an athletic overhead kick from a Tommy Smith pass to send the Yellow Army into delight and to lease new life into the tie.

Parity lasted only a matter of minutes as the on-form Cristiano Ronaldo sent United back in front. Wayne Rooney, lively throughout, was the creator as he sent a neat cross into his World Cup rival who poked the ball home from close-range.

United were made to keep on their toes, however, with an unwanted defensive reshuffle before half-time. Rio Ferdinand limped off with a groin injury. Darren Fletcher replaced the injured star and reverted to the unfamiliar role of right-back; with Evra switching sides and Gabriel Heinze moving into the centre alongside Wes Brown as the game went into the interval.

Watford came out with renewed belief and spirit after the interval as they really took the game to United.  Goalscorer Bouazza turned a close-range effort wide of Van Der Sar's post but the underdogs couldn't turn plenty of possession into clear-cut chances as they desperately searched for an unexpected second equalizer.

United were guilty of showing a little complacency, but, Watford's tireless endeavour was put to bed on 66 minutes as Rooney put the game beyond reasonable doubt. ‘El Blanco Pele’ fired home an Alan Smith pass right in front of United’s travelling army as the Reds celebrated a place in the first F.A Cup final at the re-built Wembley Stadium.

Watford and their supporters were boosted slightly by the return of long-term absentee Marlon King; but the tie was wound up for United as substitute Kieran Richardson, on for Ronaldo, silenced his critics with the winning goal just eight minutes from time.

An excellent win and attacking display from United - bring on WEM-BER-LEY.

Full Time – Watford 1-4 Manchester United
Attendance – 37,425

Watford: Lee, Mariappa (Doyley 88), Carlisle, Stewart, DeMerit, Chambers (Kabba 70), Smith, Mahon, Francis, Bouazza, Priskin (King 78).
Substitutes Not Used: Loach, Bangura.

Manchester United: Van der Sar, Evra, Ferdinand (Fletcher 40), Brown, Heinze, Ronaldo (Richardson 77), Scholes, Carrick, Giggs (Solskjaer 83), Smith, Rooney.
Substitutes Not Used: Kuszczak, Cathcart.