Chelsea - Man U set for FA Cup Final
Published 5/18/2007 8:50:31 AM by staff from socceramerica
The English FA Cup returns to Wembley -- the new Wembley Stadium built at a cost of $1.49 billion -- on Saturday when Manchester United and Chelsea meet in a grudge match. The game comes almost two weeks after United ended Chelsea's two year-reign as English league champion, clinching the Premier League title.
A crowd of 90,000 will pack Wembley for the dream final.
Welshman Ryan Giggs will captain United on Saturday in his quest for his fifth FA Cup medal, which would be a record for a player since the 1800s. Manager Sir Alex Ferguson is looking for his fourth league-cup double in his 20-year tenure at United.
After a rash of injuries slowed it down late in the season, United should be close to full strength for the final. The notable absence will be captain Gary Neville, who is sidelined with an ankle injury.
Chelsea, which only weeks ago was bidding for fourth trophies, will have to be content with an FA Cup-League Cup double in case of a victory on Saturday.
Injuries plagued the Blues all season in their bid for a third straight league title. Goalie Petr Cech, defender John Terry and midfielder Joe Cole are available after missing part of the season with injuries, but key offseason signings -- Germany midfielder Michael Ballack and Ukraine striker Andriy Shevchenko -- will miss the final, as will Portugal defender Ricardo Carvalho.
Probable lineups:
Man. United -- van der Sar, O'Shea, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra, Cristiano Ronaldo, Carrick, Scholes, Giggs, Smith, Rooney
Chelsea -- Cech, Paulo Ferreira, Essien,Terry, A.Cole, Makelele, Lampard, Wright-Phillips, J.Cole, Drogba, Kalou.
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