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United face Chelsea in grudge match (2) |
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15:50, May 18, 2007 |
The stakes could hardly be higher, with the trophy being only the larger part of the prize for the winners.
For United, it is a chance to bring the once mighty Chelsea fully to their knees, to assert themselves once again as the power in the land and to put a big marker down for next season.
They clearly have the firepower to achieve that, even without injury-prone French striker Louis Saha.
Ronaldo, Ryan Giggs, who played when United completed a 1994 Double by thrashing Chelsea 4-0 in the final, and Paul Scholes were all spared until the last half-hour of Sunday's 1-0 defeat by West Ham United, ensuring they will be fresh on Saturday.
The only regret will be from captain Gary Neville, who is sidelined with an ankle problem and misses the club's chance to add to a record 11 FA Cups.
Chelsea regrets
Chelsea, who have more serious fitness worries, also have several points to prove - and none bigger than their belief that injuries were to blame for the loss of their title.
The fractured skull suffered by goalkeeper Petr Cech in October and the back surgery undergone by captain John Terry in December cost them dear in dropped points in the title race.
Those absences, along with Joe Cole's long-term injuries, left Chelsea exposed at the back and wholly reliant up front on Ivorian striker Didier Drogba, who responded magnificently with 32 goals in all competitions.
It was still not enough, even with midfielder Frank Lampard chipping in with 21 goals for the season.
Victory on Saturday would at least make it a cup double for the Blues, who beat a young Arsenal side in February's League Cup final, and would ruin United's end-of-term party.
However, they will have to do so with another makeshift side as Germany midfielder Michael Ballack, Ukraine striker Andriy Shevchenko and Portugal defender Ricardo Carvalho are all out.
Nigeria midfielder John Obi Mikel is a major doubt, while Dutch winger Arjen Robben may just be fit enough for the bench after knee surgery.
"The reality is I don't think we will have 16 players for the final," coach Jose Mourinho lamented after Sunday's 1-1 draw with Everton.
The contrast could not be more marked with a bullish Ferguson, who told his club's website: "We're going there with good confidence, we've won the league and touch wood I'll get the players I need for next Saturday."
Probable teams
United: Edwin van der Sar; John O'Shea, Rio Ferdinand, Nemanja Vidic, Patrice Evra; Cristiano Ronaldo, Michael Carrick, Paul Scholes, Ryan Giggs; Alan Smith, Wayne Rooney
Chelsea: Petr Cech; Paulo Ferreira, Michael Essien, John Terry, Ashley Cole; Claude Makelele, Frank Lampard, Shaun Wright-Phillips, Joe Cole; Didier Drogba, Salomon Kalou
Referee: Steve Bennett
Source: China Daily/agencies
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