Growing up in the 70s and 80s, United being in the FA Cup Final was a highlight of the year and by the Friday before I would be as high as a kite. The thought of all Saturday being devoted to the build up. Swap Shop/Saturday Superstore would get in on the act, followed by reports from the hotels and coaches heading to Wembley. The weather always seemed to be great (although it probably wasn’t). Me and my Dad would have a “front room picnic” whilst my mum and sister stayed out of the way. It was basically Christmas in May for me. Even if United weren’t in the final I would find a reason to cheer for one or the other. (Of course now days I would hope for both sides to have 7 players sent off and them both to be disqualified).

The FA Cup Final was an event! Now it is an after thought to the season squeezed between meaningless Internationals (bring back the Home Internationals – I loved seeing Scotland beat England!) and the League Play Off Finals.

It is not even played at 3pm these days – Why???

So, come 5 O’clock tomorrow I will be in front of my TV (enjoy my ticket Lynne) hoping Niamh does not talk through it the way she did the semifinal, and praying we absolutely batter the Stripey Nigels (as Adrian Durham @TalkSportDrive calls them)

⚽?⚽?