Man United seek 12th FA Cup

LONDON – A ninth Premier League trophy is safely locked away.

Now Manchester United is looking to secure its 12th FA Cup trophy by beating Chelsea in the showpiece ?nal’s longawaited return to Wembley. United has already taken the league title from the Blues, ending Chelsea’s two-year reign as English champion.A win tomorrow would con- ?rm that the balance of power has returned to Manchester.Backed by the vast wealth of billionaire Russian owner Roman Abramovich, Chelsea seemed set to dominate English soccer for years after easily winning back-to-back league titles.But, hampered by injuries and below-par performances from its main summer signings, the Blues finished six points behind United in the league.A victory for the Red Devils at the rebuilt Wembley would be Ferguson’s sixth FA Cup triumph.Chelsea’s Jose Mourinho is seeking his ?rst.A sell-out 90 000 crowd will be a test of security at the rebuilt 800-million pound Wembley, with a record 1 500 police personnel and 2 500 security stewards on duty.Wembley should have been rebuilt in time for last season’s FA Cup ?nal.But a series of legal wrangles between the owners and the constructors led to delays, and the stadium as only reopened at the end of March.A Manchester United victory would also be another satisfying coup for American owner Malcolm Glazer and his family.The Tampa Bay Buccaneers owner took over the club two years ago in a move that prompted ?erce hostility from many Red Devils fans.The Glazers can now argue that United is far more stable that it was then, despite having to ?nance the deal by borrowing two thirds of the 790 million pounds they needed to buy the club.While Mourinho reportedly fell out with Abramovich this season over transfer deals, the Glazers say they have never had that problem with Ferguson.United can compete with Chelsea in recruiting players and has pledged to provide the cash for Ferguson to continue strengthening his squad as it seeks to defend the Premier League title next season.The two biggest arrivals at Chelsea last summer, Andriy Shevchenko and Michael Ballack, failed to live up to expectations.Both are missing from the Blues line-up Saturday because of injuries.Also out is dependable defender Ricardo Carvalho.Mourinho is not sure about the ?tness of winger Arjen Robben, leftback Ashley Cole and mid?elder John Obi Mikel.United captain Gary Neville is missing from the Red Devils line-up because of an ankle injury that has sidelined him for 14 games.Ryan Giggs will lead out the side instead.The Welsh winger has just won his ninth Premier League title and is now after a recordtying ?fth FA Cup triumph, a feat not accomplished since 1891.Nampa-APUnited has already taken the league title from the Blues, ending Chelsea’s two-year reign as English champion.A win tomorrow would con- ?rm that the balance of power has returned to Manchester.Backed by the vast wealth of billionaire Russian owner Roman Abramovich, Chelsea seemed set to dominate English soccer for years after easily winning back-to-back league titles.But, hampered by injuries and below-par performances from its main summer signings, the Blues finished six points behind United in the league.A victory for the Red Devils at the rebuilt Wembley would be Ferguson’s sixth FA Cup triumph.Chelsea’s Jose Mourinho is seeking his ?rst.A sell-out 90 000 crowd will be a test of security at the rebuilt 800-million pound Wembley, with a record 1 500 police personnel and 2 500 security stewards on duty.Wembley should have been rebuilt in time for last season’s FA Cup ?nal.But a series of legal wrangles between the owners and the constructors led to delays, and the stadium as only reopened at the end of March.A Manchester United victory would also be another satisfying coup for American owner Malcolm Glazer and his family.The Tampa Bay Buccaneers owner took over the club two years ago in a move that prompted ?erce hostility from many Red Devils fans.The Glazers can now argue that United is far more stable that it was then, despite having to ?nance the deal by borrowing two thirds of the 790 million pounds they needed to buy the club.While Mourinho reportedly fell out with Abramovich this season over transfer deals, the Glazers say they have never had that problem with Ferguson.United can compete with Chelsea in recruiting players and has pledged to provide the cash for Ferguson to continue strengthening his squad as it seeks to defend the Premier League title next season.The two biggest arrivals at Chelsea last summer, Andriy Shevchenko and Michael Ballack, failed to live up to expectations.Both are missing from the Blues line-up Saturday because of injuries.Also out is dependable defender Ricardo Carvalho.Mourinho is not sure about the ?tness of winger Arjen Robben, leftback Ashley Cole and mid?elder John Obi Mikel.United captain Gary Neville is missing from the Red Devils line-up because of an ankle injury that has sidelined him for 14 games.Ryan Giggs will lead out the side instead.The Welsh winger has just won his ninth Premier League title and is now after a recordtying ?fth FA Cup triumph, a feat not accomplished since 1891.Nampa-AP