Keane expecting final fireworks in Cardiff
After being helpless to prevent Chelsea gatecrashing their decade-long duopoly, the Premiership’s heavyweight pair put their seasons on the line in Cardiff on Saturday knowing the loser will be condemned to end the season emptyhanded.
It is a situation guaranteed to raise tension even without the simmering resentment which exists between the two clubs.
All three meetings between the pair this season have been scarred by unsavoury incidents.
The infamous ‘Pizzagate’ tunnel fracas at Old Trafford in September was followed by Robin van Persie’s wicked lunge on Kieran Richardson during December’s Carling Cup tie at the same venue before Keane squared up to opposing skipper Patrick Vieira prior to United’s 4-2 Premiership win at Highbury three months ago.
It was only last season that Vieira was sent off for a foul on Ruud van Nistelrooy which triggered the ugly taunting of the Dutchman following his injury-time penalty miss, so there is no surprise Soho Square officials are looking ahead to the weekend with some sense of trepidation.
And while Keane does not expect a repeat of the most recent Highbury debacle, he accepts the competitive juices on both sides will be flowing pretty freely.
“I know FA Cup finals can sometimes be an anti-climax but I think this one will be pretty explosive,” he said.
“Obviously there is that bit of rivalry which has built up over the years because we have been so close to each other.
“It is going to be a hard match physically. Hopefully the players will not get carried away and they will stay focused but I am sure the referee will handle anything that might get out of control.”
Ferguson is using ‘Scottish caution’ in his reaction to the news that Thierry Henry will miss the game with a calf injury.
“Our preparations have been centred around what their team is likely to be and what it could be,” smiled Ferguson.
Not that the wily Glaswegian is beyond pulling a few strokes himself. Within an hour of claiming Gary Neville was a major doubt with a groin problem which had stopped him from training, the defender was out warming up with his team-mates.
Gabriel Heinze was not there though, providing further confirmation the Argentinian full-back was unlikely to recover from an ankle ligament injury.
“Gaby doesn’t want to be ruled out at the moment but I do not see him playing,” said Ferguson.
“I feel for him because he has been fantastic this season and deserved to play in the final.”
If Heinze is ruled out, Ferguson is expected to utilise Mikael Silvestre’s extra pace at left-back, while Phil Neville is standing by to replace his brother.
With Wes Brown likely to partner Rio Ferdinand in central defence, the only other major selection poser surrounds Darren Fletcher if Ferguson decides play him alongside Roy Keane.
The chances are Ryan Giggs would make way if Fletcher gets the nod, with Wayne Rooney moving to the left to leave van Nistelrooy as a lone striker.
Giggs would almost certainly still be on the bench though, offering him the chance, along with Keane, to become only the fourth and fifth players in history, to collect a fifth winners’ medal.
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