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FA Cup: Man U seek No 12
17/05/2007 16:55 - (SA)
Robert Millward
London - A ninth Premier League trophy is safely locked away. Now Manchester United is looking to secure their 12th FA Cup trophy by beating Chelsea in the showpiece final's long-awaited return to Wembley.
United have already taken the league title from the Blues, ending Chelsea's two-year reign as English champion. A win Saturday would confirm that the balance of power has returned to Manchester.
"We go into this game with lots of confidence," United manager Alex Ferguson said. "We've won the league and that's a fantastic achievement by these players. But hopefully we can secure another double and I'd be so pleased to do it at the new Wembley."
Backed by the vast wealth of billionaire Russian owner Roman Abramovich, Chelsea seemed set to dominate English soccer for years after easily winning back-to-back league titles. But, hampered by injuries and below-par performances from their main summer signings, the Blues finished six points behind United in the league.
A victory for the Red Devils at the rebuilt Wembley would be Ferguson's sixth FA Cup triumph. Chelsea's Jose Mourinho is seeking his first.
"It is up to up to us all to make it a sporting event to remember," Mourinho said. "If both teams can have an attacking and positive spirit, we can make the game a real final - a final the new Wembley deserves."
Should have been rebuilt in time
A sellout 90 000 crowd will be a test of security at the rebuilt 800m pound Wembley, with a record 1 500 police personnel and 2 500 security stewards on duty.
Wembley should have been rebuilt in time for last season's FA Cup final. But a series of legal wrangles between the owners and the constructors led to delays, and the stadium as only reopened at the end of March.
A Manchester United victory would also be another satisfying coup for American owner Malcolm Glazer and his family.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers owner took over the club two years ago in a move that prompted fierce hostility from many Red Devils fans. The Glazers can now argue that United is far more stable that it was then, despite having to finance the deal by borrowing two thirds of the 790m pounds they needed to buy the club.
While Mourinho reportedly fell out with Abramovich this season over transfer deals, the Glazers say they have never had that problem with Ferguson. United can compete with Chelsea in recruiting players and has pledged to provide the cash for Ferguson to continue strengthening his squad as it seeks to defend the Premier League title next season.
The two biggest arrivals at Chelsea last summer, Andriy Shevchenko and Michael Ballack, failed to live up to expectations. Both are missing from the Blues lineup on Saturday because of injuries.
Sidelined him for 14 games
Also out is dependable defender Ricardo Carvalho. Mourinho is not sure about the fitness of winger Arjen Robben, leftback Ashley Cole and midfielder John Obi Mikel.
United captain Gary Neville is missing from the Red Devils lineup because of an ankle injury which has sidelined him for 14 games. Ryan Giggs will lead out the side instead.
The Welsh winger has just won his ninth Premier League title and is now after a record-tying fifth FA Cup triumph, a feat not accomplished since 1891.
"When Ryan came to us as a 13-year-old, he's the only player we've ever had that I knew was a certainty to make it," Ferguson said. "To win nine championships and make the contribution he has is amazing."
While fierce rivals, Ferguson and Mourinho have publicly spoken of a healthy respect for each other. Mourinho may have pushed that to the edge this week by urging United players - including winger Cristiano Ronaldo - not to spoil the game by diving to get free kicks or opponents sent off.
"I will be very sad and disappointed if the final is not a good event, a fair event, without problems, with a good winner and proud loser," Mourinho said. "I want to win but Man United want to win. Chelsea gave a good example of how to behave when we lost the Premiership crown.
"I would be disappointed if some of the players were diving or trying to get others red-carded."
- SAPA
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