Newz Forum: SOCCER: FA Cup Final Man United v Millwall

Manchester United take on First Division Millwall in the 123rd FA Cup final, seeking to climax a less than vintage season with at least one piece of silverware. By reaching the final for the first time in five years, the Red Devils equal Arsenal's record 16 appearances. They now wish to extend their own record by lifting the trophy for the 11th time.

The Red Devils can finish what has been a disappointing season on a high with victory in Saturday's showpiece at The Millennium Stadium in Cardiff. However, Millwall making their first-ever final appearance will be bidding to become the first non top-flight side since West Ham in 1980 to win the competition. United are back in the final after a five-year absence having beaten Newcastle United 2-0 at Wembley in 1999.

Manchester United skipper Roy Keane is fit to lead his side after he recovered from a hamstring injury. Darren Fletcher or Phil Neville will make way, while Tim Howard gets the nod ahead of Roy Carroll in goal and Louis Saha is Cup-tied. Millwall player-manager Dennis Wise remains doubtful despite specialist treatment on an injured leg muscle. The Lions are missing striker Danny Dichio, skipper Kevin Muscat (knee ligaments) and Andy Roberts (knee).

Sir Alex Ferguson is the most successful manager in FA Cup history, winning four times (1990, 1994, 1996, 1999). He will be leading out the team for the sixth time, United having also been runners-up to Everton (1-0) in 1995. Under the 63 year Scot, United have also won the Champions League once, the Premiership title eight times, the Cup Winners Cup, the League Cup, the Super Cup and the Inter-Continental Cup.Millwall are appearing in the final of the world's oldest football competition for the first time in their 109-year history, having been unsuccessful semi-finalists on three previous occasions (1899/1900, 1902/03 and 1936/37). They're the 54th different club to appear in the final, and could become the 43rd 'new' club to win it and first since the Wimbledon side of 1988, which included Dennis Wise and eclipsed Liverpool.

United have only won one of their three previous visits to Cardiff and Millwall, already qualified for next season's Uefa Cup, will be hoping to upset the odds and cause one of the greatest FA Cup shocks in history.

In a slow game Manchester United have created most of the chances in the first half. They lead Millwall by 1-0 with a header from Christian Ronaldo. Second half will be underway in 15 minutes and i hope it's a bit better than the first half.

Half-time: Man Utd lead 1-0, and on balance, deservedly so, thanks to Ronaldo's 44th-minute header.






[Edited on 22/5/04 by TRD]

Full-time at the Millennium Stadium with United comfortable winners. Millwall's tactics were very simple but the concession of a goal on the stroke of half-time undermined the underdogs' game plan totally. Two second-half goals from Ruud van Nistelrooy had an air of inevitability and Sir Alex Ferguson's decision to change goalkeepers and withdraw Cristaino Ronaldo with 10 minutes to go illustrates the ease with which United were winners.

Gary Neville said Manchester United's tribute to tragic former team-mate Jimmy Davis was more important than winning the FA Cup on Saturday.
The United squad changed into shirts bearing the name and squad number of Davis, killed in a road accident last August, for the cup presentation.

"Nine months ago, we had a team-mate. We still think about him and we mention him regularly," said Neville.

"Hopefully, what we did today will make Jimmy's parents smile for a moment."


United skipper Roy Keane instigated the move, which Sir Alex Ferguson and the rest of the Red Devils camp were fully behind.

"It shows our respect for a terrific lad," said Ferguson.

"Jimmy was a smashing kid. His family have found it very difficult so we hope they know we still remember him."

Keane said the all the players supported the tribute.

"It is important we remember how lucky we are," he said.

BBC Sport