Spoiling City's treble chance would be sweet

IT is approaching a year since the United supporters in the Arthur Wait Stand at Selhurst Park were cheering the goal updates from the Etihad

- SAMUEL LUCKHURST

Rodri's equaliser and then Ilkay Gundogan's winner safeguarded the treble amid the threat of a Liverpool quadruple.

Liverpool's campaign ended with just the two domestic cups. Until last week, the Reds were on course to emulate Liverpool's treble of 2001.

That was widely derided as the 'plastic treble' among the United fanbase. When Liverpool were next at Old Trafford in January 2002 a banner that was unfurled deigned the 'Mickey Mouse Treble, presented by a knock-off Mickey you would see on an ice cream van.

Prior to the supine surrender in Seville, United's cup treble tilt had eerie parallels with the Merseysiders! Their League Cup triumph on penalties against second-tier Birmingham City also ended a six-year trophy drought and Liverpool's season was crowned with Champions League qualification back when there were only three spaces.

The Reds must instead aim for a double and not The Double. Their supporters daren't imagine it, but beating City would be United's sweetest FA Cup triumph since Eric Cantona clinched the Double Double against Liverpool in 1996.

June 3 will mark the biggest FA Cup final in a lifetime. It is the first non-London city derby in an FA Cup final since the 1989 meeting between Liverpool and Everton. It may be the biggest FA Cup final ever.