FA cup final preview

FA Cup | Preview

21/05/16

On Saturday Manchester United and Crystal Palace will compete in the 135th FA Cup final. The prestigious competition will warrant the victors £1.8 million in prize money and a place in next season's Europa League (United have already qualified by finishing fifth in the Barclays Premier League).

This will be the 18th time The Red Devils have reached the final. They will be looking to lift the trophy for the 12th time. Their last FA Cup triumph came in 2004 when they defeated Millwall with a 3-0 win. Crystal Palace have only reached the final once before, also against Manchester United in 1990. The two sides played out a 3-3 draw and the final went to a replay, which United won 1-0. The Eagles will be looking for a reversal of fortunes at the weekend.

Manchester United manager Louis Van Gaal is in a precarious position at Old Trafford. The Dutchman has failed to challenge for the Premier League and hasn't qualified for the Champions League. His team have played uninspiring football and their results have been poor. Former Chelsea 'Special One' Jose Mourinho is waiting in the wings. Mourinho has been told the management job is his if Van Gaal is fired. The former Barcelona man knows Saturday's final is his last chance to deliver silverware and possibly save his job.

Palace boss Alan Pardew is sighting Leicester City as inspiration ahead of his sides tricky match-up. He says the surprise league champions have proven that "the underdog can do it". Pardew is looking to club Player of the Year Wilfried Zaha to prove himself to the team "that's rejected him". Zaha had two unsuccesful seasons at Old Trafford and endured the unhappiest spell of his career. The 23-year-old now has the chance to lay those demons to rest. Zaha will be Palace's main attacking threat and a player to watch at Wembley.

Van Gaal's side are clear favourites with the bookies to emerge triumphant. They finished 10 positions and 24 points above Palace in the Barclays Premier League this season. The two sides met twice in the league resulting in a 0-0 draw at Selhurst Park and a 2-0 win for The Red Devils at Old Trafford. Manchester United haven't lost to Palace since the sides met in the 2011/12 League Cup. Recent form may offer The Eagles some comfort. United have kept just four clean sheets in their last ten matches in all competitions.

Alan Pardew has positive news on the fitness front. Connor Wickham and Yohan Canaye are both available for selection after injury. Wilfried Zaha has also been declared ready after slight fitness doubts earlier in the week. United will definitely be without the injured Marcos Rojo. There is also a question mark over the availability of Morgan Schneiderlin after the Frenchman missed the final game against Bournemouth.

Manchester United's Ander Herrera sees the FA Cup final as a reason for optimism after a disappointing season. A chance to wipe the slate clean ahead of a new season. United have a young squad full of potential. Lifting silverware at Wembley would be a perfect foundation to build a successful team upon. Herrera knows Crystal Palace will not roll over, but declares his side will "fight for everything". Crystal Palace have a chance to make history and win this competition for the first time. Beating the club that bettered them back in 1990 would be a perfect way to do it.