Palace are contesting only their second ever major cup final, with their previous outing coming 26 years ago when they lost in a replay to United.
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Pardew played in both games and concedes that Palace’s cup run, which included a famous semi-final defeat of all-powerful Liverpool, put them on the map, but is keen for his crop to create their own history.
I’m nervous to get a response from Manchester to find out if they want me there or not.
Palace’s Damien Delaney and Scott Dann are old-fashioned defenders who would arguably be more comfortable with an aerial duel than they would a footrace against Martial & co.
The first goal is absolutely key for Palace, not only because it would give them something to hang on to.
“It’s hard to get a winners’ medal at the level we are at, like the Leicester players, winning the FA Cup would mean just as much”.
If United score first, though, it is Palace who will have to take more risks and their own defence is far less convincing.
‘Then I have to select the team and disappoint more players.
The Portuguese has been out of work since Chelsea sacked him last December following a poor run to the Premier League title, but he has suggested a few times that a return to management is on the cards for next season.
Their football is stifling, and playing backwards and forwards all the time is not enjoyable to watch. “It’s long overdue but I also think it hasn’t really been a priority”. I would have to say, hand on heart, no.
“We have played four of the six matches away, so we deserve to win, I think, because when you win away at West Ham United, for instance, it’s fantastic”, he said. There’s something systematic that’s gone wrong over the period of time.
“Our starting point is to win well and score lovely goals but, if we win 1-0, that is also enough”.
United will be in control of the ball and therefore they will be in control of the game.
“You must win these games”.
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“It is a while since we won anything, so it’s very good if we win something”.
