We avoided relegation in 2012 despite beginning the season severely undercooked both on and off the pitch; we won the play-offs in 2013 despite entering them in dire form; and we survived in the Premier League in 2014 and 2015 despite having Ian Holloway and Neil Warnock at the helm for nearly a full season between them.
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“The fanbase is unbelievable and they deserve to be in the final”.
Hopefully United aren’t as lucky this time around and we can wipe the smile off Louis Van Gaal’s face. “We are going to be the side which needs to fight that bit harder to win, there’s no doubt about that”.
Prediction: Neither side comes into the final in the best of form.
Years since Palace last reached the FA Cup final (1990). I have been to pretty much every game home and away for the past six years. The most interesting point is that we’re able to win something and now we can.
He added: “It was nice to win with Birmingham, but when you’re not on the pitch it just doesn’t feel the same”.
Of course, you have your own aims and that’s one of the aims I have had always, so it’s always exciting when you are so close, but close is not enough – you have to win it. A title is an FA Cup, a championship.
“To be honest, no, at Newcastle the cup runs were very bad and I now have the opportunity to play in a big game”.
12 – Goal-machine Peter Simpson has notched the most FA Cup strikes.
“We are playing in the most prestigious temple in England, so everything confirms how important this cup is”. We got to the semi-final of the League Cup a few years ago under Dougie Freedman and it is always possible in the cup competitions. “Although Crystal Palace beat Tottenham, so it’s deserved for them to be in the final”.
The Dutchman was pleased to confirm that defenders Marcos Rojo and Matteo Darmian are now back in contention after recovering from recent injury problems. In those days, it meant a replay was required, which United won 1-0 in a far more sedate affair.
In the absence of his Belgian battering ram, Van Gaal will unleash the speedy attacking trio of Jesse Lingard, Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford, and play Wayne Rooney in midfield. They have scored 29 of 56 goals out of set plays.
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“It’s also why we need matches at this level – it’s an education for young players. You have to win, and you have to cope with that pressure”.
