Manchester United face Everton in the first FA Cup semifinal today, a massive match as not only will the two clubs compete for a coveted berth in the final but many believe both managers jobs will hang on the result.
In all honesty though, more so than Louis Van Gaal (LVG) the axe has been hovering over Roberto Martinez head for a while now. Roberto has won the FA Cup before as manager of Wigan. Since taking over at Everton it has been a case of two steps forward and three steps back from Moyes Everton era's shadow. The Merseyside club now sit 11th on the Premier League and they come into this semifinal off a 4-0 slaughtering by their Merseyside rivals Liverpool in mid week and the confidence is lacking right through the squad.
For LVG it may not be so clear cut that a loss today will see him hanging up his managerial boots, in fact he could win the FA Cup and still that wont be enough to finish out his final year of his 3 year contract. Especially because champions league qualification lays in others hands not his own teams.
MATCH FACTS
*** This is the third time Everton have met Manchester United in the semi-final.
*** They've been paired together 11 times in the cup, with Everton winning six of those games, and United winning five.
*** Under LVG they have faced Everton four times with LVG winning three.
*** Everton have won 6 of their last seven FA Cup semi-finals but have needed extra time and penalties in four.
*** Manchester United have only scored once in their last four Wembley games vs Everton.
*** Manchester United last 5 fixtures 5 wins in 6 (W W L W W W)
*** Everton last 5 fixtures no wins in the last 6 (L L D D D L)
TEAM NEWS
Everton
Everton face defensive problems for their FA Cup semi-final clash with Manchester United at Wembley.
Ramiro Funes Mori is suspended following his derby red card while full-back Seamus Coleman is definitely out and captain Phil Jagielka a likely absentee.
Roberto Martinez is optimistic John Stones will have recovered from illness but Gareth Barry (groin) faces a late fitness test. Defender Matthew Pennington has been recalled from a loan spell at Walsall to provide cover.
Possible squads: Robles, Oviedo, Stones, Baines, Barry, Besic, McCarthy, Lennon, Cleverley, Barkley, Deulofeu, Lukaku, Howard, Connolly, Davis, Pienaar, Kone, Osman, Mirallas, Niasse, Pennington.
Manchester United
Bastian Schweinsteiger, Luke Shaw and Adnan Januzaj are Manchester United's only absentees.
Germany midfielder Schweinsteiger (knee) is unlikely to play again this season but left-back Shaw (leg) is working with a physio as he steps up his rehabilitation.
Januzaj is building his fitness before featuring for the first team but Chris Smalling is fit to play at Wembley after a late knock in the midweek win against Crystal Palace.
Possible squads: De Gea, Romero, Valencia, Darmian, Varela, Smalling, Blind, Jones, Rojo, Fosu-Mensah, McNair, Fellaini, Carrick, Herrera, Schneiderlin, Lingard, Mata, Depay, Young, Rashford, Rooney
Prediction
It is going to be a long day at the office for a certain blue manager and #JCBAlikeThat. It won't be a goal-fest because with LVG's Manchester United it never is but I can't see anything but a red win.
Jade Christopher Bentley Adams signing off
(@Jcba & on IG @Jcba_Official)
In all honesty though, more so than Louis Van Gaal (LVG) the axe has been hovering over Roberto Martinez head for a while now. Roberto has won the FA Cup before as manager of Wigan. Since taking over at Everton it has been a case of two steps forward and three steps back from Moyes Everton era's shadow. The Merseyside club now sit 11th on the Premier League and they come into this semifinal off a 4-0 slaughtering by their Merseyside rivals Liverpool in mid week and the confidence is lacking right through the squad.
For LVG it may not be so clear cut that a loss today will see him hanging up his managerial boots, in fact he could win the FA Cup and still that wont be enough to finish out his final year of his 3 year contract. Especially because champions league qualification lays in others hands not his own teams.
MATCH FACTS
*** This is the third time Everton have met Manchester United in the semi-final.
*** They've been paired together 11 times in the cup, with Everton winning six of those games, and United winning five.
*** Under LVG they have faced Everton four times with LVG winning three.
*** Everton have won 6 of their last seven FA Cup semi-finals but have needed extra time and penalties in four.
*** Manchester United have only scored once in their last four Wembley games vs Everton.
*** Manchester United last 5 fixtures 5 wins in 6 (W W L W W W)
*** Everton last 5 fixtures no wins in the last 6 (L L D D D L)
TEAM NEWS
Everton
Everton face defensive problems for their FA Cup semi-final clash with Manchester United at Wembley.
Ramiro Funes Mori is suspended following his derby red card while full-back Seamus Coleman is definitely out and captain Phil Jagielka a likely absentee.
Roberto Martinez is optimistic John Stones will have recovered from illness but Gareth Barry (groin) faces a late fitness test. Defender Matthew Pennington has been recalled from a loan spell at Walsall to provide cover.
Possible squads: Robles, Oviedo, Stones, Baines, Barry, Besic, McCarthy, Lennon, Cleverley, Barkley, Deulofeu, Lukaku, Howard, Connolly, Davis, Pienaar, Kone, Osman, Mirallas, Niasse, Pennington.
Manchester United
Bastian Schweinsteiger, Luke Shaw and Adnan Januzaj are Manchester United's only absentees.
Germany midfielder Schweinsteiger (knee) is unlikely to play again this season but left-back Shaw (leg) is working with a physio as he steps up his rehabilitation.
Januzaj is building his fitness before featuring for the first team but Chris Smalling is fit to play at Wembley after a late knock in the midweek win against Crystal Palace.
Possible squads: De Gea, Romero, Valencia, Darmian, Varela, Smalling, Blind, Jones, Rojo, Fosu-Mensah, McNair, Fellaini, Carrick, Herrera, Schneiderlin, Lingard, Mata, Depay, Young, Rashford, Rooney
Prediction
It is going to be a long day at the office for a certain blue manager and #JCBAlikeThat. It won't be a goal-fest because with LVG's Manchester United it never is but I can't see anything but a red win.
Jade Christopher Bentley Adams signing off
(@Jcba & on IG @Jcba_Official)
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