Non-League Crawley head to Old Trafford to face Manchester United in the FA Cup fifth round for the biggest game in the history of their club later today.
It’s a classic David vs Goliath clash, the giant vs the minnow. The Blue Square Premier side couldn’t have wished for a bigger or better draw.
Supporters
The non-league outfit are set to take 9,000 fans to the theatre of dreams and it will be a fantastic day out for the Crawley fans, no matter how the game goes. Even if Town are heavily beaten I’m sure the Crawley fans will enjoy their day out.
Romance
This is the sort of tie that has made the FA Cup down the years. A lower league team gets their chance to impress at one of the biggest stadiums in the world. The FA Cup is famous for being a competition that inspires shocks and performances.
Complacent
On paper this game should be a sure-fire Manchester United victory but this is the FA Cup and shocks do happen. Manchester United are certainly not underestimating their non-league opponents though.
United midfielder Michael Carrick told Sky Sports: “It’s a classic draw and one that a lot of people probably wanted to see. It’s one of those great things the FA Cup is capable of throwing up.
“A lot of people are going to have a great day, but for us it is about getting through to the next round.
“We will give Crawley the respect they deserve and we are certainly not taking the game lightly. But we do believe, if we play well we will win.”
Quality
Although Crawley Town are widely considered one of the best and most ambitious teams in non-league football surely they don’t have enough quality to threaten United at Old Trafford? I think Crawley will give Manchester United a decent game but will come home empty handed.
They will probably come to Old Trafford and have a go at United but the Red Devils should have far too much quality to slip on this potential banana skin.
Money
The Premier League is always awash with money and finance but in the lower league leagues clubs are struggling financially. Crawley Town however are believed to be one of the richest clubs in non-league but even for Crawley this tie will represent a major pay day.
Ambitious
Crawley Town are a very ambitious club and are hoping to progress into the league football in the near future. A good number of their current squad already have football league experience. Their captain midfielder Pablo Mills was once a highly promising youngster at Derby County.
And they have recently signed Torres, Sergio Torres that is who is an Argentinian midfielder. The 27 year-old scored a 90th minute winner against Championship side Derby in the third round.
Shock
Crawley Town should be proud of their run to the fifth round of the FA Cup. However I don’t believe they will go any further. Manchester United may not put out their first choice eleven but whoever Sir Alex Ferguson picks I’m sure will be good enough to defeat the minnows.
If Crawley do defeat the Red Devils then it would have to go down as the biggest ever FA Cup shock and I’m it would be a long time before we see a bigger shock. I hope they go out and enjoy their day. Everybody at Crawley deserves their day in the spotlight. Good Luck Crawley Town!
Can Crawley Town pull off a shock at Old Trafford?
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