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Manchester United Must Win FA Cup Final To Save Season

By William Deuschle

FILE PHOTO (EDITORS NOTE: COMPOSITE OF IMAGES - Image numbers 73035843,496018146,675114354,605866718) In this composite image a comparision has been made between Antonio Conte, Manager of Chelsea (L) and Jose Mourinho, Manager of Manchester United. Chelsea and Manchester United meet in the Emirates FA Cup Final at Wembley Stadium on May 19, 2018 in London,United Kingdom. ***LEFT IMAGE*** LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - APRIL 30: Antonio Conte, Manager of Chelsea looks on prior to the Premier League match between Everton and Chelsea at Goodison Park on April 30, 2017 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images) ***RIGHT IMAGE*** ROTTERDAM, NETHERLANDS - SEPTEMBER 15: Jose Mourinho, Manager of Manchester United looks on prior to the UEFA Europa League Group A match between Feyenoord and Manchester United FC at Feijenoord Stadion on September 15, 2016 in Rotterdam, . (Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images)
FILE PHOTO (EDITORS NOTE: COMPOSITE OF IMAGES - Image numbers 73035843,496018146,675114354,605866718) In this composite image a comparision has been made between Antonio Conte, Manager of Chelsea (L) and Jose Mourinho, Manager of Manchester United. Chelsea and Manchester United meet in the Emirates FA Cup Final at Wembley Stadium on May 19, 2018 in London,United Kingdom. ***LEFT IMAGE*** LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - APRIL 30: Antonio Conte, Manager of Chelsea looks on prior to the Premier League match between Everton and Chelsea at Goodison Park on April 30, 2017 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images) ***RIGHT IMAGE*** ROTTERDAM, NETHERLANDS - SEPTEMBER 15: Jose Mourinho, Manager of Manchester United looks on prior to the UEFA Europa League Group A match between Feyenoord and Manchester United FC at Feijenoord Stadion on September 15, 2016 in Rotterdam, . (Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images) /
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One game is all that remains to save the season.  The FA Cup Final on Saturday is the last chance that Manchester United and Jose Mourinho have at silverware and to ensure that this season doesn’t end in vain.

Big game results have been something of a specialty for Jose Mourinho and United this season.  Out of the 10 games against sides of the top 6, United have won 6, Drawn 1 and lost 3.

United have outscored those opponents 16-12 with the only draw coming against Liverpool in the early parts of the season.

Big goals in big games.  United have found a way to power through and come from behind to find results.  Exactly what is needed for Saturday’s FA Cup Final tilt with Chelsea.

A downward spiral for Chelsea lately, who finished in 5th place this year and out of a Champions League Qualification spot.

A far cry from their league triumph the year before.  This is the perfect game for United to pounce and put the Blues into even further despair.

A loss for Chelsea would certainly spell the demise of coach Antonio Conte.  A win for United would certainly vindicate Mourinho.

The question remains is who will be named for the starting 11 for United.  Lukaku is battling back from an ankle injury that has kept him out the previous few games.

Marcus Rashford has tried to fill the void but has struggled to shoulder the goal scoring load.

Then there is the enigma of Anthony Martial.  Will he start after he was left out of United’s last premier league game with Watford?

This is Anthony Martial’s last chance as a United Player.  (Photo by Bryn Lennon/Getty Images)
This is Anthony Martial’s last chance as a United Player.  (Photo by Bryn Lennon/Getty Images) /

Talk of him leaving United has been circling Old Trafford for some time now and it’s hard to understand why such a potent, young talent has been a bit part player under Mourinho.

If he fails to make an appearance, expect the scales to tip in favor of a summer exit.

One man who has taken to Wembley is Jesse Lingard.  After scoring the winner in the 2016 FA cup final, his record is hard to ignore.

Expect a standard midfield of Pogba, Matic and perhaps Herrera depending on if Mourinho opts for a 3 man midfield or a 5 at the back formation with Young and Valencia flanking the center halves.

A key figure for United to step up in this game would be Alexis Sanchez.  He has been flying under the radar since his January switch from Arsenal to United but has been quietly influencing United’s results during the big moments.

The United way is to win.  Anything short of silverware is a failure for both club and manager.  Expect United to go for a defensive first 15 minutes to feel Chelsea out and then go for the attack.

Chelsea have looked weak and coming off a dismal display by losing 3-0 to Newcastle on the final day, its perfect timing for United to go for the kill.

One thing’s for certain is that there is no shortage of drama in the FA Cup Final.  Don’t expect anything less this time around.

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