THESE TWO SIDES last competed in a FA Cup final 26 years ago in what was the first cup final of the 1990s with dodgy mustaches, needlessly short shorts and fashionable visors all in attendance at Wembley.
Steve Coppell selected an all-English side in the final, a feat that has not been repeated in the 26 years since, with the Crystal Palace squad including current manager Alan Pardew along with Nigel Martyn, Mark Bright, John Salako and Ian Wright.
The south London club reached the final by beating Liverpool in a dramatic semi-final at Villa Park with Pardew netting the winner in extra time to seal a famous 4-3 victory.
The win was made all the more sweet after the Reds had beaten Palace 9-0 in the league earlier in the season.
Saturday will mark Palace’s second appearance in the FA Cup final, with the Eagles still yet to win a major trophy in their 110-year history. Manchester United on the other hand will be competing in a record-equaling 19th final come Saturday evening.
United’s run in the FA Cup in the 1989-90 season was perhaps most notable for a goal not scored in the final – but in the third round.
Having spent significant money in the transfer market, Alex Ferguson’s position was under mounting pressure after he failed to win any of the previous eight league games, but a goal from Mark Robins at Nottingham Forest ensured his side progressed to the fourth round of the competition and reportedly saved Ferguson from the sack.
Palace’s side for the final was made up of players that were either rejected by the bigger clubs or players that had to fight their way up through the leagues – the entire cost of the Palace starting line-up costing a fraction of Ferguson’s side.
Despite the financial gulf between the two teams, the final was one of the most thrilling in the competition’s history, a topsy-turvy affair that finished 3-3 after extra time.
Gary O’Reilly opened the scoring for the underdogs but goals from captain Bryan Robson and Mark Hughes looked to have given Alex Ferguson his first trophy in England, but a goal from Ian Wright a couple of minutes after coming on as a substitute forced the game into extra time.
Wright would go on get another in the additional period before Hughes came to United’s rescue and force a replay.
Five days later it was left-back Lee Martin that proved to be the unlikely hero for United in the replay with the defender firing home the winner in the second-half.
United have gone on to win the famous trophy on four more occasions since the 1990 final but whether the competition proves to be the lifeline to Louis van Gaal as it did for Alex Ferguson remains to be seen.
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R.I.P.
@Mícheál Moran: awful news, heart goes out to his family
Tragic news. Thoughts are with his family. May he rest in peace.
That’s so sad
I just felt ridiculously sad reading that.. 41 year old former athlete. Cancer is so horrible, we all must know someone touched by it.
Terrible news. Why does life have to be so cruel to those so young. May he rest in peace
R. I. P.
Condolences to family & friends.
Very sad news. God love his family. No doubt he fought this like he played football… he gave it everything.
Very disrespectful to call him ‘O’Connor’ instead of his first name. Shame on you at the Journal
@Carol Cunningham: actually change my post to ‘Shame on you Fintan O’Brien’
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@Carol Cunningham: I don’t think any disrespect was meant. Usually sports stars are referred to by their surname.
@Carol Cunningham: calm down
@Carol Cunningham: Christ, you have a lot to be complaining about. Maybe just leave your sympathies to this man’s family and be done with it. A journalist calling him by his surname as would be done when he was a player is hardly disrespectful to the man. The piece is well written and strikes the right tone.
Clearly a good man in every field of life. Condolences to his wife and young children, it’s always heart breaking to see someone so young and strong taken from all that knew and loved him. He was a fine player RIP
May he rest in peace
Terrible parallels with the 1990 team. RIP Kieran. So sad this evening
RIP.
Rip kieran.all Ireland winner.
Jesus that’s terrible news. Saw him a good few times playing with cork & he was a tough competitor. Condolences to his family & friends at this tough time RIP
Rip Kieran. A gentleman.
Condolences to Kierans family and friends. So sad to see someone so young taken from us. Rip
RIP.
Terrible news. RIP.
A tragically young age. RIP
So sad.
Great player from a great club.
Condolences to his family.
R.I.P.
Terrible news.rip keiran..
Mo chomhbhrón
God bless good sir
Very sad News,fought hard tough battle with bravery & Grace,my condolences to the family & close friends!
RIP
Rest in peace .
God rest his soul and give his family strength at this difficult time rip.
Can I just say how much of a class act Davy Russell is.
Great ambassador for Cork Football and so sad for his family & community. Condolences.
R.I.P