THE BIGGEST GAME SINCE THE LAST ONE

Last updated : 14 February 2003 By Editor
Gary Pallister:
"I think it will have a big say on the title. If Arsenal were to lose again then it would be a huge blow to them. The two teams are so evenly matched, they are neck-and-neck and I just feel a win will give one of them a push to the title.

"United are coming back into form now and I think it's come at the right time for them. Roy Keane is really finding his feet again and he will be a massive boost for them during the run-in.

"I think Keane's contest with Patrick Vieira will be the most significant battle because they are the best two central midfielders in the Premiership.

"Keano is such a driving force for United. He is a magnificent competitor and it's not only what he gives a team on the pitch but what he gets out of the other players.

Lee Dixon said:
"That [’99 replay] was the biggest rollercoaster of a football match I've ever played in. I went through every single emotion possible.

"With a minute to go, you've got a penalty and Roy Keane is heading down the tunnel, and you think your name is on the Cup. Well, you would, wouldn't you?

"Then a gormless Dane pops up and makes a great save. Typical! I think Dennis Bergkamp will still be having nightmares about that penalty. But Ryan Giggs then scored one of the greatest goals I've ever seen. He went round me four or five times!

"It took me about four days to get over it. I don't know how the United players recovered because they had their heads in their hands while the penalty was being taken. Even though we lost it still remains one of the best semi-finals I've ever seen and to play in it was still a big experience.

"As disappointed as I was, myself and Tony Adams stood outside the United dressing room to shake each and every one of them by the hand. It was such a special night and it was something we did out of respect. It was mayhem at the final whistle because so many people were on the pitch.

"Sir Alex Ferguson was the first one doing a merry jig down the tunnel and we shook hands just to congratulate them on a great game and a piece of history.There's a lot made of the rivalry, but it's a mutual respect more than a rivalry.

"I think it will be a 2-2 draw because there will be goals in it. There's too much talent on show for it to be a boring game. The teams are at such an equal level that it's going to be so hard to separate them.”

Ron Atkinson:
It may not decide the outcome of the Premiership, but tomorrow's FA Cup clash between Manchester United and Arsenal is going to be an almighty match with the psychological effects sure to have a bearing on the title run-in.

One of the title contenders - whether it be the champions or the challengers - will establish mastery in the tie. This is by far the biggest game of the tournament and all thoughts of the players saving themselves for next week's Champions League games will go out of the window. As a showdown, this is going to be something special.

It is not a foregone conclusion that the side who progress to the quarter-finals will have established the Indian sign over their opponents and win the league. But, in hindsight, Ryan Giggs' extra-time goal against Arsenal in the Cup semi-final replay four years ago was the decisive moment of that season, providing United with the springboard for their glorious treble that campaign. You wonder if a similar victory for either side tomorrow could have the same effect.

The side who win will be on cloud nine. They'll feel unbeatable and the momentum will be with them. You'd expect United to come flying out of the blocks. They were hurt by what happened last season, and this could be the next step to an unprecedented quadruple, an opportunity to surpass what they achieved in 1999.

They set their stall out in this year's Worthington Cup and they're playing well enough to set themselves such impressive targets. I saw them at Birmingham last week where they dished out a 1-0 hiding and the fact that every United player is back to form - they all got an eight out of 10 at St Andrews - bodes well.

United will be painfully aware that this year's final is at Old Trafford and they couldn't bear watching Arsenal celebrate in that arena again, like they did after claiming the Premiership last May. When I was manager at Aston Villa and we'd run United close for the title the previous season, they pasted us at Villa Park at the start of the next campaign. I came off thinking, "Christ, they'll take some catching." Psychologically, that was a hammer blow.

Of course Arsenal will be just as keen to deliver in Fergie's back yard tomorrow. The only tie they've lost in the past two seasons was the final to Liverpool, or rather Michael Owen, in 2001. If that had been a boxing match, it would have been stopped to protect Gérard Houllier's side.

Now, I get the distinct impression that Arsenal are coming back into their own. The only question marks are over the defence and whether they can hold on to slender leads like they used to, but that's an accusation you could level at United as well and will only add to tomorrow's flavour.

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