Cup football requires quite a different mentality from league football. More often than once, the team that strives to grind out the result will succeed at the expense of that which would like to maintain extras such as entertainment, or 'play well' as they call it these days. Man United is a team built to play attractive attacking football and yet win games. Nonetheless, we've managed to gain experience on how to grind out results over the years.
The FA Cup kicks off this weekend, and Leeds United provide the opposition at OT on Sunday. It's frustrating that we last won the FA Cup in 2004. We've been to two finals since and came agonisingly close to another final last year. We still remain the record holders of the trophy but we need to address the drought as far as winning it again is concerned.
Leeds are on the up as far as their form is concerned in League One so we need to keep our wits about them. There is such hatred between both sets of fans that you might find it hard to know who is the home team yesterday. The 9000 fans coming to OT this weekend will make it equally uncomfortable for our players.
I only hope that Sir Alex selects a team that will not earn us a defeat or a replay. The fixture schedule is already congested enough for replays and I don't think the fans will fancy getting knocked out at the first hurdle by a club they love to hate!
Meanwhile, Sir Alex has stated that he will stick with kids for the Carling Cup tie at Citeh this week. It now makes for interesting viewing!
Labels: THE FA CUP
