Our predicted Manchester United line-up for the first-ever Manchester derby FA Cup final.
How’re your nerves, Reds?
Tomorrow holds one of, if not the, most important game for United post-Sir Alex Ferguson.
It’s not just a Manchester derby with pride or three points on the line, it’s a chance to win silverware against your biggest rivals.
A win could also stop them in their tracks to achieving a repeat of the greatest story in English football, the treble in 1999.
Erik ten Hag will be forced to navigate the injuries of Antony and Anthony Martial, whilst the latter is more expected than surprising at this stage, it still comes as a huge blow.
Predicted starting XI
De Gea
Wan-Bissaka, Lindelof, Varane, Shaw
Fred, Casemiro
Fred was in fine form in his last appearance and provided a scintillating pass to assist Bruno Fernandes against Fulham.
Fernandes (C), Eriksen, Sancho
Ideally, Alejandro Garnacho would be given the nod, but I just can’t see Ten Hag starting him in a cup final, especially after two months out of action.
Fernandes has been deployed on the right flank on numerous occasions this term and it allows Marcus Rashford to lead the line, which is where he will be the most threatening.
Rashford
With the stakes as high as they are, can we really send out Wout Weghorst, who has zero Premier League goals with the club, to stop one of the most dangerous teams in world football?
I’d love a fairytale ending but realistically, I just can’t see it happening. Rashford is our top goalscorer and has been clinical in front of goal this season, what better way to round off a potential victory than the Wythenshawe-born academy graduate scoring a winner?
How are my nerves? In tatters, thanks for asking.
Want a win, of course, above all else, but bare minimum is FIGHT. Like to think ETH has said if he sees any heads drop or other body language indicating defeat before the final whistle, that/those player(s) United career is over.