5 key player battles that will decide Manchester United vs Chelsea

As the Premier League has come to a close, with Manchester City deservedly crowned as champions, the FA Cup Final provides us with one last domestic highlight before we head into the Champions League Final and the World Cup.

In what promises to be an exciting match, Manchester United and Chelsea are hoping to end their respective seasons on a high by winning the most prestigious cup competition in Europe.

Both teams will come to Wembley after league campaigns, that left a lot to be desired. While the Red Devils failed to challenge their local rivals, finishing second by a record margin of 19 points, the Blues couldn't even qualify for the Champions League.

The poor league campaigns, coupled with early Champions League exits, have made the FA Cup Final even more important for the clubs, forcing them to field their strongest available sides in their pursuit of silverware.

With some of the best players in England facing off tonight, we take a look at the five key battles, that will determine who will lift the FA Cup at Wembley.

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#5 Giroud vs Smalling

Giroud and Smalling have had many contested battles in the past

With Alvaro Morata likely to be sat on the bench this evening, Olivier Giroud is set to be Chelsea's main man up front. The Frenchman has already won the FA Cup three times with Arsenal and is eager to add a fourth with the Blues.

On his day, the striker can be extremely tough to deal with and it will be Smalling's main task to ensure, that it is not going to be his day. The defender will be looking to prove England manager Gareth Southgate wrong in not selecting him for the World Cup in Russia.

With both players built similarly, we can expect a physical encounter between two players who are auditioning for a spot in their managers' plans for next season. Both players have faced a lot of criticism in the past and losing this battle could spell the end of their first-team hopes.

The FA Cup final is the perfect stage for Smalling and Giroud to show their quality, and the winner of this battle could have a huge impact on his side's chances of being successful at Wembley.

#4 De Gea vs Courtois

De Gea is Courtois' successor to the Golden Glove award

Of course, the two goalkeepers will not be facing each other directly tonight - unless it comes down to a penalty shoot-out - but the battle between the posts could make the difference at Wembley.

In what is likely to be a close and low-scoring affair, both keepers will have to be on the top of their game, as one goal could be enough to take the spoils in London.

While de Gea has crowned a fantastic season with the Red Devils by winning the Golden Glove, keeping 18 clean sheets in 37 matches, Courtois has been inconsistent in a season to forget for Conte's Blues.

Should either of these men slip up during the final, it could spell the end to their team's hopes of hoisting the FA Cup. Therefore, the battle of the goalkeepers could be essential to the outcome of the match.

#3 Sanchez vs Moses

Sanchez could be the difference maker at Wembley

With Romelu Lukaku doubtful for tonight's match, United's attacking trio could be mixed up a little, probably even during the game. However, it's safe to say that Sanchez will be spending the majority of the game coming from his favoured left side.

The pressure will once more be on the pacy Chilean to create and convert chances during the game, but these are the matches that he lives for. Guarded by Victor Moses, the attacker will certainly fancy his chances of leading his team to victory.

Moses, on the other hand, has really come into his own as a right wing-back under Antonio Conte. Nevertheless, he will need to perform at the top of his game tonight to contain Sanchez. Along with his defensive duties, the Nigerian international will be tasked with pinning his opponent as far back as possible.

After a tough start to his United career, Sanchez has a huge opportunity to silence his critics with a strong performance at Wembley tonight, with the added incentive of being able to lift his first trophy as a Red Devil.

#2 Hazard vs Matic

Matic will need to contain the Belgian playmaker at Wembley

There are very few players who have the ability to contain a player like Hazard, but Matic is certainly one of them. The former teammates will be going face to face at Wembley in a battle that could easily determine who lifts the FA Cup.

Hazard has not been performing at the 'Player of the Year'-level that we've become accustomed to during his time in England, but he's still one of the most creative players in the Premier League.

Chelsea's attacking hopes will largely be resting on the Belgian's shoulders and if he manages to create space in Manchester United's half, then the Blues may be able to go all the way.

Matic will most likely be in charge of limiting the space Hazard gets, but even he will have his hands full doing it for the full 90 minutes. The Serbian international tries to cover every blade of grass, but he will inevitably need some support from his teammates, particularly when the Belgian drifts out wide.

For Chelsea, this is the 'must-win' battle going into tonight's final. If Hazard is kept quiet throughout the match, the Blues will struggle to keep the pressure on a shaky United defence. A key factor, if they want to leave Wembley victorious.

#1 Pogba vs Kante

Pogba and Kante will battle it out once more at Wembley

Rivals tonight, teammates tomorrow - Pogba and Kante will have one last hard-fought match against each other at Wembley before joining forces to win the World Cup in Russia. However, there will be no love lost between the two, as they pursue their first ever FA Cup triumph.

With Pogba playing a more advanced role for United and Kante being Chelsea's defensive midfielder, the two will likely cross paths several times during the game. The winner of this battle will inevitably set the pace of the game.

Should Pogba be allowed the space to roam and create, he could be the unstoppable force that can single-handedly decide the game. Nonetheless, should Kante limit Pogba's freedom, he could free up his own attackers to take more risks in the final third.

From United's perspective, the earlier they manage to get their energetic playmaker into the game, the more likely they are to hoist the FA Cup tonight. While Pogba's season has been a roller-coaster ride, he undoubtedly makes United's attack work more smoothly when he's on the pitch.

The battle of the Frenchmen will be the key to either side's chances of lifting the FA Cup tonight, therefore making it the most important one to watch, as the central midfielders will be desperate to put their stamp on the game.