Manchester United v. Fulham - F.A Cup Preview
The Great Cup
By Chris O'Brien
March 5 2004
United will look to get the season back on track as Fulham visit Old Trafford for the F.A Cup quarter-final. Many Reds are accepting that the Cup could be our only real chance of silverware, so let's be thankful that Sir Alex doesn't look like repeating the bizarre team selection of last weekend!
| Manchester United v. Fulham - F.A Cup Preview |
| Scottish duo Sir Alex Ferguson and
Walter Smith face their first match as a managerial partnership on Saturday
as Fulham visit Old Trafford in the quarter-final of the world's greatest
cup competition, the F.A Cup. With Arsenal currently well ahead in the Premiership, and with United not thought to quite have the credentials to succeed in Europe this season, the F.A Cup could be the most realistic chance of winning any silverware this season with the Red Devils on their longest run in the coveted competition since the triumph in 1999. Of course, United will not be able to go on in this competition without the countries ABU's claiming we have no right to win the Cup due to the farce of the World Club Championships' the season after the Treble success. Personally, I and the majority of other United supporters were dead against it anyway, and I'd rather have the magnificent F.A Cup in the cabinet than some two-bit trophy poorly organised by FIFA. The atmosphere at tomorrow's game will prove to any doubters what United fans think of the F.A Cup, with the fans desperate for victory especially after the poor run of form recently. Apparently Fulham have had difficulty selling out their end, but you can be certain off a vocal showing from the home support. A disappointing team selection saw United only claim a point against Fulham at Loftus Road last week, and with the Cottagers winning at Old Trafford earlier in the season, there is also revenge to be found! Ferguson looks certain to field his strongest possible team for the visit of the European qualification hopefuls, but there are a number of causalities to the United squad. Louis Saha cannot play against his former-club for the second-week running as he is cup-tied. There is also a serious problem in the defensive department for United, and with the frailties at the back costing United big points recently, this will be a major worry for the hosts. Quinton Fortune and Mikael Silvestre are both injured, and with Gary Neville and Rio Ferdinand both suspended, Sir Alex Ferguson will have to field a makeshift defence which is expected to see Roy Keane and off-form Wes Brown partner each other at the heart of the defence, with John O'Shea and Phillip Neville the full-backs. Saha's absence means Diego Forlan may start up front alongside Ruud Van Nistelrooy, unless Ferguson names 5 across the middle. Forlan has been on the wrong end of a lot of criticism this season, and will be desperate to prove a point by helping United advance to the next stage in the F.A Cup. As for the visitors, Chris Coleman also has a handful of injury worries and other absentees. John Collins and Jerome Bonissel will not travel with the rest of the team due to injuries, with cup-tied Ian Pearce and suspended Carlos Bocanegro both unavailable for selection. Fulham have had a tricky time reaching the last eight of the competition. A fortunate win over Cheltenham Town, with a certain Louis Saha hitting the winner, helped them through to the fourth round where it took a replay to beat Everton. It also took Fulham two attempts to beat London rivals West Ham United, with the two sides battling out a stalemate at Loftus Road before the Cottagers won 3-0 at Upton Park in the replay despite the hosts dominating possession for the majority of the game. The Red Devils are 4/11 to get back to winning ways against the Londoners, with Chris Coleman's outfit priced at 7/1 to progress to the semi-final of a cup they have never won before despite playing in 11 quarter-finals and 6 semis. ManUtdWeb Prediction - Manchester United 2-0 Fulham |