Before the whistle: Manchester United v Fulham

Written by Drew Heatley on 28th February 2025

It might always feel like our year, but this year really feels like our year.

It’s been 50 years since our first and only FA Cup final appearance. Make no mistake: we are due. Plenty will have groaned when we were drawn against United at Old Trafford. Tale as old as time. We seem to always come up against one of the Manchester clubs on our quests for glory.

But our groans came not from fear, but from the way the Red Devils continue to squeak past us, despite enduring one of their worst domestic campaigns in recent memory.

Two games, two narrow 1-0 losses. It’s time to redress the balance – and put to bed the memories of 2023.

You’d hope – no, expect – Marco Silva to field as strong a side as possible on Sunday. Our season depends on it. That means Bernd Leno in the sticks, our strongest back four (whether that includes Joachim Andersen or Issa Diop is perhaps up for debate), our trusted Sander Berge and Sasa Lukic pivot, and Alex Iwobi back in the XI after (mini) rest on Tuesday.

Who’ll start up top is less clear – but that’s not a bad thing. Rodrigo Muniz has bagged some crucial goals this season – and scored again on Tuesday. But Raul Jimenez is also a man in form. Whoever starts will likely be replaced by – or joined by – the other, depending on how the game shakes out. Then there’s the possibility of extra time and penalties. I’m starting to get nervous.

Having returned to the club in the summer, Ryan Sessegnon formally re-introduced himself on Tuesday, and will be champing at the bit to be involved on Sunday. I for one hopes he gets minutes.

We’re sitting well in the Premier League, and it is all still up for grabs there. But history isn’t an eighth-place finish in the Premier League. History is a major trophy. History is Wembley glory. And history should be in our sights on Sunday. You Whites.