The FA Cup Semi-finals are LIVE and exclusive on TVNZ this weekend. tvnz.co.nz takes a look at the second semi-final, profiles the teams involved, takes a look back at the history of both teams in the prestigious competition and gazes into the crystal ball to predict a likely winner.
Manchester United v Everton: Semi final 2 - Monday April 20, 3am kick-off (NZT)
Manchester United
Best result in FA Cup : The Red Devils have won a record 11 times in 17 final appearances. The truimph in 1990 saved manager Alex Ferguson's career and since then the canny scot has masterminded victories in 1994 (v Chelsea 4-0), 1996 (v Liverpool 1-0), 1999 (v Newcastle 2-0) and 2004 (v Millwall 3-0) - more than any other manager.
Key players: Where do we start? Manager Alex Ferguson has the deepest pockets in the football world, enabling him to assemble a vast array of talent. Defender Rio Ferdinard, Midfielders Michael Carrick and Paul Scholes and the striking trio of Wayne Rooney, Carlos Tevez and Dimitir Berbatov. The icing on the Old Trafford cake is Portuguese superstar and current world player of the year Cristiano Ronaldo.
Something you may not know: Manchester United are estimated to have 330 million fans worldwide, almost 5% of the world's population.
Nickname: The Red Devils
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Founded: 1876
The best of times: The 1999 Champions League final vs Bayern Munich. United scored two goals to injury time to stun the Germans in one of the most astonishing sporting comebacks ever witnessed.
The worst of times: Relegation to the second division in 1974, with one of their ex-players and favourite son Denis Law scoring the goal that sealed their fate.
Everton
Best result in FA Cup: Everton have lifted the trophy on five separate occasions the most recent being in 1995 (1-0 v Man Utd) and 1984 (2-0 v Elton John's Watford).
Key players: Australian midfielder Tim Cahill, Italian midfielder Marouane Fellaini and French striker Louis Saha.
Something you may not know: Everton are the original club of the city of Liverpool, with Liverpool FC being formed 14 years later by a breakway group. The fierce rivalry continues to this day, with more red cards brandished in the Merseyside derby than any other fixture in premiership history
Nickname: The Toffees, the Blues
Founded: 1878
The best of times: Under manager Howard Kendall and captain Kevin Ratcliffe, Everton had a sublime 1984-85 season. They won the league championship, truimphed in the European Cup Winners Cup (their first and only European trophy) and reached the FA Cup final, losing to Manchester United.
The worst of times: Losing the FA Cup finals to bitter rivals Liverpool in 1986 and 1989 and a shocking Premier League season in 1997 where they avoided relegation only on the last day of the season - and on goal difference.
What will happen?
While there is an undoubted gulf in class between the two squads everything points to this being a very close match.
Everton are looking for their first trophy since 1995 (concidentally the FA Cup versus Manchester United) and will be desperate to have something for the cabinet at Goodison Park.
The Manchester club as usual are chasing prizes in several competitions and the FA Cup falls slightly behind in the list of priorities.
Alex Ferguson has enviable squad depth but even this will be stretched given the demanding schedule his side have faced recently both domestically and in Europe.
Everton have lost only one of their last eleven matches while United have looked shaky since their shock 4-1 defeat at home to Liverpool last month.
United have proven matchwinners across the park but Everton's desire, belief and work ethic maybe enough to get them across the line and into the FA Cup final
tvnz.co.nz fearless forecast : Everton 2 Manchester Utd 1 (1-1 after 90 minutes).
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