Chronicle EditorMANCHESTER. — Manchester United and Crystal Palace face a possible dress rehearsal for the FA Cup final when they meet in the English Premier League at Old Trafford tonight.
The match kicks-off at 8:45pm.
The two sides have avoided each other in the semi-final draw with United facing Everton and Palace playing Watford in the last-four ties at Wembley this coming weekend.
Victory in the English Premier League fixture may therefore come as a psychological bonus ahead of a potential Cup final reunion on May 21.
It’s inevitable both sides will have their thoughts on the Cup, Palace having never done better than a place in the final in 1990 — when they lost to United — and the Red Devils not having added to their 11 successes in the competition since 2004.
But United are also desperate for a league win to keep alive their hopes of a top-four finish and qualification for next season’s Champions League.
United are currently four points behind both Manchester City and Arsenal in the race for fourth spot with five games to go and time running out.
Manager Louis van Gaal, whose position appears to be increasingly vulnerable with former Chelsea, Real Madrid and Inter Milan boss Jose Mourinho reported to be lined up as his replacement after the end of the season, has no margin for error.
The Dutchman’s side have won three of their last four league games — as well as an FA Cup quarter-final replay at West Ham.
United midfielder Juan Mata has no problem fighting on two fronts, with the Spaniard saying: “We want to be lifting this historic trophy. In this complex season we have managed to advance in the FA Cup and now we are very excited.
“However, before Everton and the FA Cup we have to focus on the Premier League game against Crystal Palace.
“Our goal is to play in the Champions League the next season and all we think about right now is to win every single game.
“We are in good spirits ahead of these two games after the win against Aston Villa. The last week was very positive for us and it should help the team to gather momentum for the last few games.” — Sky Sports
Online Reporter