Allen Hamilton
What: English FA Cup Semi-final
Who: Manchester United vs Manchester City
When: Saturday 16th April, 2011, at 17:15 UK time
Where: Wembley Stadium, London, England
Whisper it Quietly – A Treble?
For much of the season Manchester United had their critics, and one of them was manager Sir Alex Ferguson himself. The side were not hitting top gear and their away form pointed to a looming disaster. But the good ship United never hit an iceberg and instead, thanks to some fine quality rowing from the team’s leaders, captain Ferguson was soon navigating calmer waters. And as the end of the season has approached the better United have become. It is almost as if, for the Old Trafford outfit, the season started in March; since defeats at Chelsea and Liverpool, Ferguson’s men have been supreme.
"I think we’ve hit our form", said Ferguson when reflecting on recent performances. "I don’t think there’s any doubt about that."
Chelsea have been ruthlessly put in their place through a quarter-final display of utter professionalism. United’s biggest threat for the past few seasons has been well and truly neutered by Wayne Rooney and co. But behind the magic has been not a new but an old star in the shape of Ryan Giggs. The Welshman continues to roll back the years and it was his three moments of magic that created all the Red Devils’ goals in their Champions League victory over Chelsea and will be pivotal in unlocking Manchester City’s defence here.
Now, through to the Champions League semi-final, topping the Premier League and on the verge of reaching the FA Cup final, memories of the famous 1999 Treble are coming back.
Temperature Rising in Eastlands’ Pressure Cooker
There is little doubt that Manchester City possess some of the finest players in the Premier League, but teams are not built overnight, as Roberto Mancini is quickly discovering. A splattering of stars can click some of the time, perhaps even enough of the time to ensure a top four spot, but there will be times when it all goes badly wrong. And at Anfield on Monday night that is exactly what happened. Quicker to every ball, hungrier for victory, Liverpool tore City apart and had the Reds not eased off in the second period could have inflicted a heavier defeat than the 3-0 scoreline.
Mancini is, obviously, keen to move on from the Liverpool loss and, ahead of the semi-final, called on his players to be the ones to "change the history" between City and United. It is a history which has, despite the millions lavished on players at Eastlands, remained firmly red in colour.
"All my players understand very well that this is a big moment for us", said the Italian. "The first trophy is the hardest, but it is time for City to win something."
The loss of Carlos Tevez to injury however, with the inspirational Argentine picking up an hamstring problem against Liverpool, is a big blow but, with United set to miss Wayne Rooney, Mancini cannot cite his striker’s absence as reason for an exit. With just a three-point cushion over Tottenham Hotspur in fifth and out of the Europa League, the pressure is building on Mancini.
Recent form
Manchester United:
Chelsea 1-2 Manchester United
(06/04; Champions League)
Manchester United 2-0 Fulham
(09/04; Premier League)
Manchester United 2-1 Chelsea
(12/04; Champions League)
Manchester City:
Chelsea 2-0 Manchester City
(20/03; Premier League)
Manchester City 5-0 Sunderland (03/04; Premier League)
Liverpool 3-0 Manchester City (11/04; Premier League)
Key absences
Manchester United: Wayne Rooney (suspended); Rafael (doubt); Owen Hargreaves
Manchester City: Carlos Tevez; Jerome Boateng; Micah Richards; Shay Given
Players to watch
Manchester United – Javier Hernandez: Mexican striker Hernandez could well end up as the reason Bulgarian hitman Dimitar Berbatov leaves Old Trafford. Hernandez’ progression has taken the entire Premier League by surprise, perhaps even Ferguson too. The Mexican has superb movement, able to pop up unmarked in the danger zone and is cool in the finish. A record of scoring once every two games this season means that, in the absence of Rooney, he will be United’s biggest threat.
Manchester City – Joe Hart: Against Liverpool, Hart had reason to be disappointed with his performance. Particularly the left-footed drive from Reds’ striker Andy Carroll which was not in the corner and could, perhaps, have been reached. With Dirk Kuyt also slotting home with ease, Hart needs to quickly rediscover the form which made him England’s top goalkeeper. Against United he should have more than one opportunity to produce a sublime save.
Match Prediction
While City should be the fresher of the two sides it looks unlikely to make a difference. United’s players are peaking just at the right moment and Ferguson will be desperate to beat the club he has termed the "noisy neighbours". There is little doubt City have the quality to progress to the final, but even so, all does not quite feel right at Eastlands. A poor record against United also points to the red half of Manchester heading to the FA Cup final. Manchester United 2-0 Manchester City.
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