please log in to view this image Saturday 21st April 5.15pm FA Cup Semi-Final Wembley Stadium A distracted, rotated side fumbled it's way to a draw on Brighton's slip and slide on Tuesday. Back-to-back disappointments, both in terms of results and performance, are not an ideal way to go into a big game. This is definitely one of those, though. Pretty season defining for both clubs. Each side needs this trophy, although not for the same reasons. Mauricio Pochettino's first piece of silverware would be the breakthrough we've been waiting for. We've ticked a lot of boxes during his time at the club and this would be one of the final ones to go. Getting over that line while we're in a transitional season away from our beloved home would be a big statement. Jose Mourinho, on the other hand, has been brushed aside by the noisy neighbours. Pep Guardiola has won two trophies this season and done so while playing excellent football. Utd might be solidly in second place, but that's simply not enough, especially when City are doing so well. The first meeting between us this season saw the advantage swing to the hosts at Old Trafford. A scrappy, tight match was decided by a single goal late on, as some poor defending cost us badly. Some direct football was enough to put Anthony Martial through on goal and it finished 1-0: The reverse fixture didn't take nearly as long for the deadlock to be broken. More direct football lead to an early chance for Christian Eriksen, as Dele Alli's backheel put him in on goal. He didn't disappoint and we lead after barely 11 seconds. Utd responded well, but were soon 2-0 behind, as Phil Jones put through his own net from a Trippier cross: Both sides spurned chances after the break and nobody could find the net: Harry Winks and Danny Rose are continuing their rehabilitation and are still unavailable. No new injuries. Sergio Romero is Utd's only injured player. Neither side has any suspensions. Lineups for each side's last league game: Spurs: Lloris; Aurier, Alderweireld, Vertonghen, Davies; Sissoko, Wanyama; Moura, Eriksen Son; Kane. Subs: Vorm, Trippier, Foyth, Dier, Dembele, , Lamela, Llorente. League form: WWWWLD. Man Utd: De Gea; Darmian, Smalling, Jones, Shaw; Fellaini, Herrera, Pogba; Lingard, Rashford, Martial. Subs: Pereira, Bailly, Blind, Young, Matic, Sanchez, Lukaku. League form: WWWWLW. Referee: Anthony Taylor. TV: BBC1. Some big selection questions for this game. Should Michel Vorm keep his FA Cup place? Should Toby Alderweireld retain his place or should Davinson Sanchez return? Could we use both? Is Kane fit enough to start and if so, then who should be used in the other attacking roles?
Have been obsessing over this game since full time on tuesday. Vorm Dave Toby Jan Trippier Dier Dembele Davies Alli Eriksen Kane Subs: Lloris, Rose, Wanyama, Sissoko, Lamela, Lucas, Son.
Vorm Tripps, Toby, Jan, Davies Dier, Dembele Alli, Eriksen, Son Kane Hugo, Aurier, Dave, Wanyama, Sissoko, Lamela, Lucas
As I said the other day, while Hugo's form has dropped lately starting Vorm in this game is too much of a risk - not least because, if we don't win, imagine the ****storm our own fans will start as a result of it, let alone the poison pen articles to follow.
If we lose, Poch will be damned either way when it comes to GK choice. Play Hugo and lose - VORM PLAYED EVERY FA CUP GAME AND DESERVED TO PLAY THIS ONE ESPECIALLY AS HUGO'S BEEN CRAP!!! Play Vorm and lose - CAN'T BELIEVE WE DIDN'T PLAY HUGO!!! WHAT A ****ING JOKE!
Don't forget this is a home game. Utd need to play as if this was Arsenal away or City away (second half) in the PL rather than repeating the dreadful performances at Spurs, Chelsea & Liverpool. I don't think anyone knows what they're going to get from this one, but Spurs start as favourites.
Yes, you're at home, apparently. Some bloody Man Utd fan from down the road will be sitting in my seat.
Got to play our strongest team. This is a huge game. This side badly needs to win a trophy and also end our dreadful record in FA Cup semi-finals since 1991.
I think we should play Eriksen in the deep role next to Dembele and start Lamela in the front 3 along with Son and Alli or Moura and Alli. Dier in the back 3 since I very much doubt Toby will play
Think your formation would have 12 men, mate. You on the haze? GK Dier, Dave, Jan (your back three). RB, Eriksen, Dembele, LB (your middle two) Moura, Alli, Lamela (too many, can only fit two lol) Son