Following United since the mid seventies the FA cup was an important part of the season. Back in those days we were hardly competing in the league and a good cup run was important to keep the season going.
My first memory was a losing one, the 1976 final where United got beaten by lower league team Southampton 1-0. However, the following year we got the cup when Tommy Doc United beat Liverpool 2-1 and prevented them from winning the treble, the significance only realised some years later!
They returned again in 1979 when Dave Sexton led United to the twin towers against Arsenal and going into the last 3 minutes United were 2 -0 down but somehow scored twice in a minute to level only to lose it on the last kick of the game! this wasn't the last time would kick us in the teeth in a FA cup final.
Big Ron Atkinson had taken over the team and he led us to victories in 1983 and 1985. In 1983 we beat relegated Brighton 4-0 after a replay where Bryan Robson scored a brace and led United from the front. Two years later a 10 man United stopped Everton when a Norman Whiteside curler from outside the box in extra time helped United gain the trophy.
The next time United got to the final was in 1990 when Sir Alex led United to his first trophy. They did it the hard way as United did not get one home game during the run and beat Crystal Palace 1-0 in a replay via a Lee Marten goal.
The 1990s saw a few appearances, in 1994 United completed the double with a 4-0 win over Chelsea where Eric Cantona scored 2 penalties. 1995 saw a 1-0 loss against Everton Cantona suspension hampered United's chances. A year later United did the double when a late Cantona goal beat Liverpool 1-0. In 1999 United appeared again when they clinched the treble that season beating Newcastle 2-0 despite losing skipper Roy Keane to injury early on.
It was a few later before United got to the final. United played championship side Millwall in Cardiff and won 3-0 with Van Nistelrooy and Ronaldo on the score sheet. The following year United played Arsenal and lost on penalties. United were absolutely mugged and the Arsenal goal led a charmed life to say the least. In 2007 the final returned to Wembley where United were on course to clinch the double but were beaten 1-0 in extra time by Chelsea.
Since then United have made some good runs but not winning the trophy. Compared to 1970s and 1980s where United only hope was an FA cup run, since the formation of the premiership United have had plenty to aim for with league titles and Champions league, the FA cup has taken a back step where usually reserve and youth teamers have featured strongly. That said United do get some rotten draws where last season we drew Manchester City and Liverpool away.
United face West Ham Saturday evening and the word is United will not put out a strong team where RVP is already away in Holland on a well deserved break following his exertions over the Christmas period.
The FA cup may not get the pull it did when I first started following United but it is important and I am sure United will go for it on Saturday. After all we still hold the record with the most FA cup wins.
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