Manchester United host a Reading side managed by former Old
Trafford favourite Steve Coppell when the FA Cup fifth round gets
under way this weekend.
Champions Chelsea face second division Norwich City, Arsenal
take on Blackburn Rovers and Fulham meet Tottenham Hotspur in a
London derby among the other ties.
Coppell was a hugely popular figure on the red and white side of
Manchester, making over 300 appearances for United as a winger
during a spell that started in 1975 and was cut short by a knee
injury in 1983.
No stranger to the FA Cup during his time there, Coppell made
three final appearances at Wembley - whose re-built stadium is
scheduled to host this season's final on May 19.
A member of the young side who lost to Southampton in 1976,
Coppell helped United beat Liverpool in 1977 before suffering
defeat again to Arsenal in 1979.
He has already been back to Old Trafford once this season, where
his promoted club went down fighting 3-2 to the Premier League
leaders.
Saturday could be harder still as Coppell's main focus is
sustaining a good Premier League run which has taken them up to
sixth in the table and within sight of Europe.
His assistant Kevin Dillon told their website
(www.readingfc.premiumtv.co.uk) that Coppell would rotate his squad
as usual for a Cup game, resting league regulars from last
weekend's 2-0 win over Aston Villa.
"Steve is very consistent with his selections so I'm sure there
will be changes to the team that played against Villa," Dillon
said.
"We'll be changing the team, but not necessarily weakening
it."
"I think whoever wins this game will win the cup, that's my
prediction," he told club website readingfc.co.uk.
United manager Alex Ferguson may well decide to keep some of his
powder dry too for next Tuesday's first leg in Lille in the
Champions League last 16.
The situation is the same for Chelsea, who are away to coach
Jose Mourinho's former club Porto on Wednesday.
Chelsea look to be finally getting to the end of a lengthy
injury list, though defender Ashley Cole and midfielders Michael
Ballack and Joe Cole are still unavailable.
Nigerian Jon Obi Mikel could well get a run-out in the middle
with Ivorian Salomon Kalou on the flank, supporting Didier Drogba
and Andriy Shevchenko up front.
However, the gap in status between a Norwich side languishing
18th in the second division - compared to Chelsea's second place in
the top-flight - is bound to make itself felt at Stamford
Bridge.
Upsets are more likely in one of three other games involving
second division sides. Ipswich Town are at struggling Watford, West
Bromwich Albion visit Middlesbrough and Preston North End will try
their luck at home to Manchester City.
One second division side is certain to make the quarter-finals
after Plymouth Argyle's tie with Derby County.
(China Daily via Agencies February 16, 2007)