Up For The Cups

I adore cup games. They're a totally different animal to league fixtures.

The FA Cup

It's the all-or-nothing, do-or-die, living-on-the-edge feeling that keeps you hooked right until the end, especially when United are involved. I've already declared my love for the three-handled Carling Cup on these pages, but on Wednesday night it was the FA Youth Cup that was in the spotlight, as United's youngsters took on Newcastle.

Gary Neville joined me in the MUTV commentary box and was clearly impressed by the talent on show. The Reds managed to fling 35 shots in the direction of the Magpies' goal; somehow, only one of them ended up in the back of the net. United were dominant but that profligacy could have cost them dearly. And that's what kept the game alive right until the final whistle. Paul McGuinness's young charges held on to their advantage and now have a quarter-final tie against Liverpool to look forward to. That should be a cracker.

Perhaps a few members of the Under-18s side will get a chance in the adult version of the competition this weekend, when non-league Crawley Town come to town. Their players will be looking to write their names into the history books by causing one of the biggest FA Cup shocks in history. It's a dream tie for their players, although many expect a landslide victory for our lads.

Then again, I still remember when non-league Exeter City came to the Theatre of Dreams six years ago and managed to hold on for a draw. The money from that game essentially saved the debt-ridden club and the Grecians players did their fans proud, forcing Sir Alex's men back down south for a replay.

There are no debts to settle at Crawley these days. They are the non-league's financial super power, with more money than most of the other conference sides put together. That said, although spending £275,000 on a player is big money in non-league circles, it wouldn't buy them Berba's big toe.

Some of the appeal of these matches comes down to the fact that the fixture looks so unusual - even ridiculous - on paper. Nine times out of 10, you'd expect United to beat Crawley. Maybe even 99 times out of 100. But the visitors and their swarm of travelling fans will arrive at Old Trafford hoping Saturday's game will be that one occasion where everything clicks.

And let's face it, if football always went as expected, we wouldn't love it as much as we do. Still, enough of that sort of talk: let's hope Goliath squashes David on Saturday, eh?