FA Cup holders Manchester United will travel to Chelsea to play in the marquee fixture of the FA Cup quarter-final. The fixture will see Jose Mourinho return to his former employers after getting hammered 4-0 against the Blues in October. Manchester United have improved tremendously since then with Ibrahimovic leading the attack with 24 goals so far this season.
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But Chelsea have looked imperious since that victory, sitting on top of the league with an 8-point lead. The clash between the Premier League giants promises to entertain us just like their past encounters in the same competition.
Here is a look at the five most memorable matches between the two sides in the FA Cup:
#5 Manchester United 4-0 Chelsea, 14 May 1994
The 1994 FA Cup final saw Manchester United head into the game as firm favourites. After a goal-less first half, Manchester United came into the second half firing on all cylinders and the pressure paid off, as Eric Cantona scored two penalties in the space of five minutes.
(Video Courtesy: mattyredman YouTube Channel)
Mark Hughes all but confirmed the victory with a goal in the 68th minute and Brian McClair added gloss to the scoreline by scoring in the dying moments of the game. The victory secured a league double for the Red Devils.
#4 Chelsea 3-5 Manchester United, 04 January 1998
Chelsea hosted Manchester United in the 3rd round of the FA Cup and the away side were in rampant form. David Beckham opened the scoring in the 23rd minute before firing in a free kick five minutes later to double his team’s lead. Andrew Cole scored on the stroke of half-time to make it 3-0.
Cole scored again in the second half before Teddy Sheringham headed in their 5th goal of the game.
(Video Courtesy: Adrian Houghton YouTube Channel)
Chelsea tried to initiate a comeback, with Graeme Le Saux scoring a wonderful chip from outside the box and a quickfire double from Gianluca Vialli. But it was all a little too late for the London club as Manchester United progressed with a thrilling victory.
#3 Chelsea 0-2 Manchester United, 10 March 1999
The FA Cup 6th round tie between the two sides ended in a goalless draw at Old Trafford which forced the match to go into a replay to be played at Stamford Bridge. In another exciting cup match between the two teams, Dwight Yorke opened the scoring early in the 4th minute with a good finish.
Peter Schmeichel made some excellent saves to deny Chelsea an equaliser before Chelsea striker, Tore Andre Flo blocked teammate, Dennis Wise’s shot on the goal line, albeit inadvertently.
(Video Courtesy: Chelsea Retro TV YouTube Channel)
Dwight Yorke then doubled the lead with an exquisite lob over the Chelsea keeper and put the game beyond doubt. Manchester United would then go on to secure a historic treble in the club’s greatest season in history.
#2 Chelsea 1-0 Manchester United, 19 May 2007
The 2007 FA Cup final between the two sides was the first one to be played in the new Wembley Stadium. Chelsea started the stronger side, but Manchester United slowly grew into the game with Rooney, in particular looking extremely dangerous.
The game was goal-less after 90 minutes and looked to be heading towards a penalty shootout. But some excellent link up play between Drogba and Lampard, set the Ivorian through on goal as he chipped over Edwin van der Sar to clinch the trophy for Chelsea in the 116th minute of the game.
(Video Courtesy: MoreGoalsTV YouTube Channel)
It was Chelsea’s 4th FA Cup triumph and the first one under Jose Mourinho. Drogba would then go on to score at three more FA Cup final triumphs at the new Wembley for Chelsea, cementing his status as the ultimate big match player.
#1 Manchester United 2-2 Chelsea, 10 March 2013
Manchester United hosted the FA Cup holders in the 6th round tie in Sir Alex Ferguson’s last year in charge at the club. The Red Devils got off to a flying start with Javier Hernandez and Wayne Rooney giving the hosts a 2-0 lead in the opening 11 minutes.
Manchester United continued to dominate the half but were unable to add to their tally.
(Video Courtesy: thefacup YouTube Channel)
In the second half, Hazard was brought on for Victor Moses and he made an instant impact with a beautiful curling finish from the edge of the area. Ramires then scored the equaliser after a strong counter attack and Chelsea were now in the ascendency.
They should have taken the lead with Juan Mata, but David de Gea produced a wonder save to deny his fellow country man. The game ended in a draw and Chelsea would go on to win the replay at Stamford Bridge with a Demba Ba goal.
