Jose
Mourinho insists Manchester United's season will not be defined by
Saturday's FA Cup final with Chelsea at Wembley Stadium (kick-off 5.15pm).
United finished second in the Premier League, a distant 19 points behind
runaway champions Manchester City, but they have the chance to round off
their campaign by lifting some silverware against Chelsea at Wembley.
"People can do what they want, you can analyse the way you want to analyse.
I can also analyse the way I want to analyse," said Mourinho.
"Of course it makes a difference, but it's one thing to make a difference
and the other is to consider the season good or bad because of one match.
"I know the positive things and the negative things so I am not going to
change my analysis of the season because of the result of one match. Not at
all."
Some pundits have expressed fears the showpiece could be a dull, cagey
affair, especially given some of United's less-than-cavalier performances
this season but Mourinho countered: "I don't understand these words of
entertaining. Do you think 6-0 is entertaining? I don't think so.
"I think entertaining is emotional until the end, an open result until the
end, everybody on their seats until the end, both dug-outs nervous and tense
with the unpredictability of the result.
"For me as a football lover, not as a manager, that's entertaining. I think
it will be entertaining."
Meanwhile, Antonio Conte reiterated his focus is on the immediate future and
Saturday's final, rather than the ongoing speculation over his future as
Chelsea head coach.
A fifth-placed finish in the Premier League, missing out on Champions League
qualification, came as part of a season of discontent for Conte, who could
still finish the campaign with a trophy if the Blues beat United at the home
of football.
Speculation has been rife for the entire campaign that owner Roman
Abramovich is preparing to make a managerial change this summer. If so, the
Wembley date would be Conte's last as boss.
"I can say for sure this will be my last match this season," Conte said.
"For me and my players it will be the last game for us. Then, as you know
very well, I have a contract and I'm committed to the club."
Team news
Goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois could play in the FA Cup for the first time this
season. Willy Caballero has featured in the competition this term, but did
not convince when deputising when Courtois missed the Premier League draw
with Huddersfield with a back injury.
Full-back Emerson Palmieri (undisclosed) has joined defenders David Luiz
(knee) and Ethan Ampadu (ankle) in being ruled out injured.
Meanwhile, United striker Romelu Lukaku needs a late fitness test with the
Belgium international facing a race against time to recover from an ankle
injury in order to line up against his former club.
Winger Anthony Martial, though, is fit after shaking off a knee injury.
Opta stats
This will be United's 20th FA Cup final - a joint-record with Arsenal, while
only the Gunners (13) have won the trophy more than the Red Devils (12)
This is Chelsea's 13th appearance in the showpiece - they lost last year's
final against Arsenal and could become the first team to lose consecutive FA
Cup finals since Newcastle in 1998 and 1999
This is the third time these sides have met in the FA Cup final, making it
the joint-most played final in the history of the competition (Arsenal vs
Liverpool, Arsenal vs Newcastle and Aston Villa vs West Brom also three)
Of the previous two, United won 4-0 in 1994 as part of their first
top-flight and FA Cup double, while Chelsea won 1-0 in 2007 in the first
final played at the new Wembley Stadium
In all FA Cup meetings, Chelsea are unbeaten in their last four against
United (W3 D1), since a 2-0 loss in a quarter-final replay in 1998-99
In all competitions, United have won two of their last three meetings with
Chelsea (L1), more than they had in their previous 14 against the Blues (W1
D6 L7)
This will be the eighth meeting between these sides at Wembley Stadium, the
most-played fixture at the ground in all competitions. Both sides have won
two games apiece, with three matches going to penalty shootouts (2 wins for
Man Utd, 1 for Chelsea)
The Red Devils haven't conceded more than a single goal in any of their last
16 FA Cup matches, keeping eight clean sheets in that time. Dele Alli's
strike for Spurs in the semi-final is the only goal they've conceded in the
competition this season
Meanwhile, the Blues have conceded just twice in the competition this season
- against Norwich in the third round and Leicester in the quarter-finals.
Charlie's prediction
I think the bookies are slightly edging towards Manchester United and that
is perhaps due to Alexis Sanchez's record at Wembley; otherwise I don't
really see them as favourites.
United have been average, Chelsea have been unpredictable. We know the
managers don't have any time for each other and I think it will be Antonio
Conte's final game, so his players should be fired up to give him a good
send-off.
Jose Mourinho will set his side up to stifle Eden Hazard. While he hasn't
been at his best, the top players have the ability to turn it on when they
hit the big stage.
They have to start Olivier Giroud and, with his lethal form, I believe
Chelsea have the better firepower on their day than United. If you get
Hazard, Willian and Cesc Fabregas linking up then they can create havoc.
I've never heard Jose Mourinho say second place is a good season and I think
he could end the season empty-handed as well, with Conte having the last
laugh before he walks away for a new opportunity.
Charlie predicts: 3-2 and Giroud to score first ()
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