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Man Utd vs Tottenham, FA Cup semi-final preview: Team news, kick-off time, TV channel and prediction

Man Utd vs Tottenham: Jose Mourinho and Mauricio Pochettino go head to head - Getty Images Europe
Man Utd vs Tottenham: Jose Mourinho and Mauricio Pochettino go head to head - Getty Images Europe

What is it?

With the Premier League title race now over, the FA Cup represents the last opportunity for Manchester United and Tottenham to lift a trophy this season.

Today's referee is Anthony Taylor from Cheshire.

When is it?

Today! Saturday, April 21.

What time is kick-off?

It's a late afternoon start - 5.15pm

What TV channel is it on?

BBC 1 from 4.55pm. You can also watch highlights on BBC 1 at 11pm. Or you can follow all the action with us with our live blog.

Man Utd vs Tottenham: tactical preview
Man Utd vs Tottenham: tactical preview

What is the team news?

Manchester United

United have their first-choice line-up available. Striker Romelu Lukaku and midfielder Nemanja Matic are among those likely to return to the starting XI after playing substitute roles at Bournemouth.

Back-up goalkeeper Sergio Romero has been out since sustaining a back problem on international duty with Argentina and is the only injury absentee, with Daley Blind returning against the Cherries.

Provisional squad: De Gea, Pereira, O'Hara, Valencia, Darmian, Shaw, Young, Blind, Lindelof, Smalling, Jones, Rojo, Bailly, Matic, Carrick, Pogba, Fellaini, McTominay, Herrera, Mata, Lingard, Martial, Sanchez, Rashford, Lukaku.

Pick your Man Utd team to face Tottenham
Pick your Man Utd team to face Tottenham

Tottenham 

Spurs are set to recall Dele Alli. The England midfielder was rested for the midweek draw at Brighton as one of six changes made by boss Mauricio Pochettino, who must decide whether to pick regular FA Cup goalkeeper Michel Vorm or stick with Hugo Lloris.

Danny Rose (calf) is still missing while Harry Winks (ankle) is a long-term injury victim.

Provisional squad: Lloris, Vorm, Gazzaniga, Trippier, Aurier, Alderweireld, Vertonghen, Foyth, Sanchez, Davies, Dier, Wanyama, Dembele, Eriksen, Sissoko, Alli, Son, Moura, Lamela, Llorente, Kane.

Pick your Tottenham team to face Man Utd
Pick your Tottenham team to face Man Utd

What are they saying?

Jose Mourinho says Manchester United are not at a disadvantage at Wembley, Spurs' temporary home this season.

"I don't think it's an advantage at all. I played one cup final in Roma's stadium against Roma and I won. I played a cup final in my stadium and I lost.

"So I think when you go to these big moments with these big decisions, semi-finals, finals, I don't think it's an advantage.

"In some countries even the cup semi-final is played home and away, not (in a) neutral ground, like in England. That's just football.

"I look at this, Tottenham-Manchester United, the same way I look at Huddersfield-Manchester United or Manchester United-Brighton at Old Trafford.

"Sometimes it's at home, sometimes it's away. This time it's away, but I don't see any advantage. For me it's the same as playing at Old Trafford."

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Tottenham will not get to the next level by winning the FA Cup, boss Mauricio Pochettino has reiterated.

"I promise you the club is not going to change if you win or don't win the FA Cup or the League Cup.

"It would be fantastic to add that trophy to the club but what would put us to a different level would be to win the Premier League or Champions League.

"That is going to put you in a different level. Here, people love to talk about perception and changing perceptions.

"Good Champions League group stage - you beat Dortmund, Real Madrid and you compete very well against Juventus and the dimension of the club around the world changes completely.

"But in the end, we still need to improve and improve."

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What are the odds?

  • Manchester United to win 9/4

  • Draw 12/5

  • Tottenham to win 5/4

What's our prediction?

Both managers need a trophy for very different reasons. Mauricio Pochettino is looking for his first piece of silverware, while Jose Mourinho could do with something to quieten his critics. The fact Spurs will be at their temporary Wembley home should give them a slight advantage and this feels like the time for Pochettino's young team to step up.
Prediction: Tottenham 2 Manchester United 1