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Man Utd prepare to salvage season

May 22, 2004 12:11 IST
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Manchester United have the chance to salvage something from a disappointing season when they take on first division Millwall in the FA Cup final on Saturday.

Third in the English premier league and failing to reach the Champions League quarter-finals for the first time in eight years, United would at least end the campaign with a major trophy if they overcome first division Millwall in Cardiff.

On FA Cup pedigree, there will be only one outcome.

United are record 10 times winners of the world's oldest knockout competition, while Millwall are appearing in their first final.

A Millwall victory would be the biggest upset since Sunderland beat Leeds United in the 1973 final but United manager Alex Ferguson is not under-estimating his team's opponents.

"It's a big thrill to be in the FA Cup final," he said. "It seems to me, Millwall have more potential than a lot of clubs in London, so they could make the leap up. Everything is possible if you have drive and ambition."

Ferguson looks certain to select an attacking line-up, with Cristiano Ronaldo and Ryan Giggs on the flanks to provide the ammunition for strikers Ruud van Nistelrooy and Paul Scholes.

Millwall are hoping inspirational player-manager Dennis Wise recovers from a hamstring injury to renew his old rivalry with United midfielder and captain Roy Keane.

"That's what our game is made up of, characters like Roy Keane and Dennis Wise," said Millwall assistant manager Ray Wilkins, a former United player.

"They are both winners and, when two winners disagree, there's going to be a few fireworks. But you can't take that away from anybody."

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Source: REUTERS
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