It will be a golden chance for Manchester United to salvage some pride after a disastrous season and potentially keep manager Louis van Gaal in a job, when they meet Crystal Palace in FA Cup finals.
The Red Devils failed to qualify for the Champions League for the second time in three years and it is their last chance to make good on a campaign of stagnant football.
Earlier, Van Gaal was booed by supporters following Tuesday's 3-1 home win over Bournemouth. If today Man U will win the FA cup then it will be the first silverware since Sir Alex Ferguson left. Despite various issues, the Dutchman has his eyes on the trophy and is not particularly concerned about it being pleasing on the eye.
The Red Devils have not won the FA Cup since 2004, when they beat Millwall 3-0 in Cardiff. They will beat Palace, it will equal the record of Arsenal’s tally of 12.
It will be the first trophy for Van Gaal in English football, it would also enable Wayne Rooney, the captain, and Michael Carrick to claim the only top-level medals that have eluded them during their spells at the club.
Van Gaal already has reason to thank the tournament, for it has provided several melodious moments this season amid the steady background hum of speculation about his future.
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