But the dramatic semi-final defeat of Everton gave him a taste of what the moment would feel like.
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If Rooney can put on a similar display on Saturday, the Eagles will be hard-pressed to come out on top.
This meeting of United and Palace brings back memories of the classic 1990 final, which went to a replay.
Portuguese manager Jose Mourinho has been linked with a move to Manchester United for over four months now, but thus far Louis van Gaal has remained in the hotseat even after Manchester United’s failure to secure Champions League football for next season. – Crystal Palace have won six of their last seven FA Cup ties against fellow Premier League sides (L1).
France global Anthony Martial has been in sensational form since arriving at the start of the season, bagging 17 goals across all competitions, and punters may decide to use their free bet on the striker firing his side to cup glory. As a young kid the final was always such a big deal with wall to wall coverage on the TV, you couldn’t escape it, and Liverpool won it twice in the 80s. This is the eighth time fans of the South London club have got to see their team walk out at the famous stadium (old and new) while United supporters have probably got bored of travelling to north west London, such has been the regularity.
Pardew says he hopes van Gaal’s side turn up on Saturday – but are ultimately beaten by Crystal Palace. After more heavy-spending last summer the club failed to mount a serious challenge in the Premier League title race, finishing fifth and missing out on Champions League football for next season, and on the European scene they failed to make any impression. Palace lost their final game of the season, falling 4-1 to Southampton. “That’s why we must grab our opportunity because it’s a great feeling to win a cup final”. “A qualification is not a title but a Cup win would be”. “You can not predict a final, you have seen it yesterday [when Liverpool lost to Sevilla] for example”. Thankfully, I did but I spoke to a lot of players who didn’t and it’s a big miss to lose a final when you’re so close to winning it.
Hopefully I can say the FA Cup [will be her present]. There is simply so much more pressure on United, and we’ve seen the Red Devils fold under pressure time after time this season. The decision to sack or keep van Gaal in Manchester United now lies with the club owners, the Glazer family. You have read that all season. “Like the Leicester players, winning the FA Cup would mean the same for us”. “The longer the game goes on at 0-0, the more Palace will fancy their chances”.
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Kwesi Appiah, Marouane Chamakh, Brede Hangeland and Joe Ledley are all sidelined.
