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Man United legend admits he has divided loyalties in FA Cup final

Chelsea boss Antonio Conte and Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho set to go head-to-head in the FA Cup final
Chelsea boss Antonio Conte and Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho set to go head-to-head in the FA Cup final

Manchester United legend Paul McGrath has revealed he will have divided loyalties when his former club take on Chelsea in the FA Cup final at Wembley.

Ireland great McGrath won the FA Cup with United in 1985, yet he admits he will be toasting a win for either side when Jose Mourinho’s United take on Antonio Conte’s Chelsea on Saturday.

“This is a tricky game for me because I have been a big Chelsea fan all my life and I never quite know who to support when they take on United,” confirms McGrath, in an interview appearing in the official FA Cup final programme.


“It started when I watched the FA Cup final in 1970, when Leeds played Chelsea. I fell in love with that Chelsea team and Peter Osgood was my hero as a kid. I loved John Hollins, David Webb, Charlie Cooke and all that team.

“We all got into football because we love it and support a team and even though you never talk about this kind of thing during your playing career, every player will have their loyalties and it is always tricky for me when United play Chelsea now.

“I guess I will be in a no win situation when I sit down to watch the FA Cup final as my affection for United will never wane after my wonderful days at that great club and I will always cheer on Chelsea when they lift trophies as well.”

Paul McGrath was an FA Cup winning with Manchester United in 1985
Paul McGrath was an FA Cup winning with Manchester United in 1985

McGrath went on to defend United manager Mourinho, who has come under fire for the brand of football he has played this season as he insists he is doing a good job of reviving the Old Trafford club after some difficult years.

“As a Chelsea fan, it will come as little surprise that I have a lot of time for Jose Mourinho and he was the perfect man to take over at United in my eyes,” he added.

“Some people moan about the style of football he plays, but there is no doubt that he has steadied the ship at United and moved the club forward from where it was when he came in.

“He has secured Champions League football for two years in a row and if he can win the FA Cup, that has to be seen as a good season for United, even if it was a little annoying to see Manchester City having such a great season in the Premier League.

“This has been a difficult season at times for Mourinho and he has not always looked happy in his job when we have seen him talking to the media, but he is a winner and has proved that time and again down the years and I expect him to get another trophy in this FA Cup final.

“Jose doesn’t tend to lose Cup Finals and I’m sure he will be determined to make sure he wins this game given how things ended for him at Chelsea in his second spell in charge there.”

Read the full interview with Paul McGrath in the official FA Cup final programme, on sale at Wembley Stadium on the day of the game, in shops across the country and online HERE.