FA Cup Semi Final Preview

Ridiculous it is that supporters of Manchester United and Newcastle United will drive past many of the country's finest stadiums before reaching Sunday's F.A Cup venue, it is the Millennium Stadium that will host the clash that is both teams only hope of deeming the 2004/2005 season a successful one.

Graeme Souness' Newcastle side are not just low on morale following their exit to Sporting Club Portugal, but a number of Magpies have picked up injuries and suspensions that rule them out of Sunday's clash.

Kieron Dyer and Lee Bowyer's notorious antics forfeited them a place in Cardiff as they will serve a 3 match ban set by the FA as punishment. Midfield problems continue as Jermaine Jenas is a doubt after recently picking up an injury.

Laurent Robert may be handed a midfield berth despite criticising his manager last week. Meanwhile, Titus Bramble and Celestine Babayaro are both doubts with groin and hamstring injuries respectively.

United winger Ryan Giggs will not get the chance to play in his home town of Cardiff due to a hamstring injury, manager Sir Alex Ferguson confirmed, whilst Darren Fletcher and Louis Saha are both definitely ruled out of action.

Even the referee is struggling! The original official, Graham Poll, will be replaced by Mike Riley as he injured his hamstring.

The venue of this year's Semi Final has been the subject of much debate as of late. Fans, players and managers alike have all slammed the FA for hosting the venue in South Wales, but Ferguson predicts a great occasion. "Cardiff is a fantastic venue. "But the travel for the fans is a long way"

"We're defending our pride and reputation most of the time with this club but, when you get to a semi-final, it's a different sense of excitement and anticipation. Our semi-finals have been fraught with all sorts of challenges and excitements"

"In all these semis, we've been coming back from positions of desperation and they have been part of the folklore of this club. Never giving up, never dying and, hopefully, that's what is going to happen on Sunday" he added.

The Scotsman has sent his sympathy out to his opposing manager, Graeme Souness, for their Uefa Cup exit and predicts that will make them hungrier for FA Cup success.

"That's why it's great disappointment for Graeme Souness, terribly disappointing for him in that situation and you have a lot of sympathy for him"

"But, come the semi-final, they will still go for it"